Stacked Maersk shipping containers in the commercial port of Barcelona, Spain. (Angel Garcia/Bloomberg)
key takeaways:
- A.P. Moller-Maersk raised its 2026 profit outlook at the end of June 29, citing solid demand, particularly in Asia.
- Maersk said global container volume growth is now expected to be around 4%, up from its previous 2% to 4% forecast.
- Maersk is scheduled to report interim second-quarter results on Aug. 13.
AP Moller-Maersk A/S upgraded its profit outlook for this year, citing solid demand, particularly in Asia, and the global container market, which is expected to remain healthy for the rest of the year.
The Copenhagen-based company made the announcement in a statement posted on its website late June 29. Maersk said the ranges for both underlying EBITDA and EBIT have been increased, which is better than analysts’ estimates, and free cash flow will also be better than previously expected.
Maersk is ranked 7th in Transportation Topic’s Top 50 list of the largest global freight companies.
Container volume growth globally this year is now seen at around 4%, an improvement from Maersk’s previous expectation of a 2% to 4% expansion.
Shipping lines are benefiting from the recent surge in spot container rates, as cargo owners look to book early amid disruptions ranging from violence in the Middle East to U.S. tariff uncertainty. Ocean freight volumes typically increase in July and August as retailers accumulate inventory for the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.
Maersk’s bright prospects are in line with comments CEO Vincent Clerc made to Bloomberg News in Vietnam last week.
“It’s been a strong first half of the year despite the war and disruption to energy markets,” Clark said in an interview in Haiphong, Vietnam. “For us, the expectation is that right now it’s very likely that this will continue for the rest of the year.”
Maersk is scheduled to publish its second-quarter interim results on August 13.
