Maersk confirms 26-boxship order amid strong third quarter results

Danish shipping giant Maersk raised its full-year 2026 financial guidance on Thursday on the back of the actual performance in the third quarter of 2026 and improved visibility for the remainder of the year. This is based on global container market volume growth for the full year 2026 of around 4%. Meanwhile, after weeks of market speculation over a major newbuilding programme, Maersk has confirmed orders for 26 dual-fuel container vessels, each with a capacity of 18,600 teu. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030.

The large container line, often viewed as a bellwether for global trade, now expects an underlying EBITDA of between $14bn and $14.5bn this year, up from a previous range of $10.5bn to 12.5bn.

The underlying EBIT is expected to be between $8bn and $8.5bn, up from a previous range of $4.5bn to $6.5bn.

“Despite continued geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions, global trade has remained remarkably resilient,” CEO Vincent Clerc said in a statement. “Demand is being driven not only by consumer spending, but increasingly by major investments in electrification, energy and the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, generating significant flows of industrial cargo around the world.”

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