Shipping giant, Maersk, boosts earnings outlook in response to a surge in global container traffic

In the second quarter of 2025, AP Møller Maersk, a leading global container shipping and logistics company, announced a year-on-year increase in revenue, moving from $12.8 billion to $13.1 billion. This growth was accompanied by an increase in EBITDA, rising from $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion.

The ocean freight sector demonstrated robust profitability, thriving despite adverse rates, thanks to growth across various regions. The strong import growth into Europe, Latin America, West-Central Asia, and Africa more than offset the contraction in North American imports, which was partly due to US tariffs.

Maersk's logistics and services sector also showed continued progress, with an EBIT margin improvement to 4.8%. The company's terminals experienced record-high volume, with higher revenue per move and cost per move mitigated through high utilisation.

One of Maersk's significant moves in Q2 was the acquisition of the Panama Canal Railway Company (PCRC) in April 2025. The PCRC generated a revenue of $17 million and an "insignificant net profit" for Maersk. The acquisition costs were recognised as operating costs, amounting to $5 million.

Vincent Clerc, CEO of AP Møller Maersk, expressed his satisfaction with the new East-West network, stating that it is raising the bar on reliability and setting new industry standards. The investments made by Maersk, totalling $7.4 billion, are primarily directed towards dual-fuel vessels, terminal concessions, and future contracts.

Despite market volatility and historical uncertainty in global trade, demand remained resilient for Maersk. The company's commitment to sustainability and innovation continues to drive its growth and success in the face of challenges. Maersk has now raised its full-year guidance for EBITDA from 6.0-9.0 to 8.0-9.5, reflecting the more resilient market demand outside of North America.

Shipping giant, Maersk, boosts earnings outlook in response to a surge in global container traffic