Carrier earnings continue to outpace rising costs

What began as a slow year for container shipping, with low freight rates, disappointing Q1 earnings and Hormuz-related disruption weighing on results, is developing into a markedly stronger second half.

Higher spot rates and resilient demand have pushed revenues and earnings higher, with several carriers now raising their full-year outlooks after second-quarter results came in ahead of expectations.

German liner company Hapag-Lloyd was the latest to raise its guidance. On 28 September, Hapag-Lloyd upgraded its 2026 EBITDA forecast to US$3.9-4.4 billion, from US$2.7-3.7 billion, and its EBIT outlook to US$1.25-1.75 billion, from US$100m-US$1.1billion. It was the carrier’s second upgrade since July.

The company attributed the latest upgrade to continued strong market demand and positive spot freight-rate development, while warning that volatile rates and geopolitical tensions leave a high degree of uncertainty around the forecast.

This story was originally published by World Cargo News. Read the full story at World Cargo News →