UTi Worldwide Inc. on Thursday said higher expenses contributed to fourth quarter earnings that were below Wall Street forecasts. It warned that the crisis in Japan and high fuel costs may hurt its current quarter.

The Long Beach logistics company reported net income of $14.5 million (14 cents a share) for the quarter ended Jan. 31, compared with net income of $1.5 million (2 cents) a year earlier. Revenue rose 15 percent to $1.15 billion.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected per-share profit of 18 cents on revenue of $1.08 billion.

Total operating expenses were up 14 percent to $1.12 billion. The company said that it is considering a reorganization to simplify its organizational structure and expects there will be severance and related costs through fiscal 2012.

UTi, which resells cargo space and handles customs clearance and warehousing for companies, has been benefiting from improved demand as the global economy slowly recovers from the recession.

The first quarter “may be dampened by higher fuel costs, harsh winter weather, geopolitical events, and the near-term disruption caused by the tragic events in Japan,” Chief Executive Eric W. Kirchner said in a statement. “These near-term challenges aside, we are still targeting growth ahead of a market which has returned to historical levels, and is more stable than we have seen in recent years.”

Shares were up 18 cents, or less than a percent, to $19.05 in midday trading on the Nasdaq.