First-quarter profits declined from a year ago, Maersk said, as increased container volumes failed to overcome pressured ocean rates.<\/p>\n
The world\u2019s second-largest box carrier (OTC: AMKBY<\/a>) said that logistics and terminal revenue partially offset weaker liner results. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) slipped to $1.8 billion from $2.7 billion, while operating earnings (EBIT) was $340 million, down from $1.3 billion from the year-ago quarter. EBIT margin slid to 2.6% from 9.4%.<\/p>\n Geopolitics, demand uncertainty and over-capacity muted rates on benchmark east-west routes in the first quarter. The Iran conflict and rising fuel costs have lifted box prices in more recent weeks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve seen strong demand across most regions this quarter, supporting robust volume growth in our three business segments,\u201d said Vincent Clerc, chief executive, in a release. \u201d Officer at Maersk.. \u201cIn Ocean in particular, market volatility remains high and industry oversupply continues to put pressure on rates. In this environment our disciplined focus on cost management contributes to resilient performance.\u201d<\/p>\n Clerc said the carrier\u2019s flexible network, which includes the Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, lowered ocean unit cost by 7% despite disrupted supply chains from the conflict in the Middle East.<\/p>\n The Copenhagen-based company maintained guidance of 2%-4% growth in container volumes in 2026. It added plans to buy back $1 billion in shares this year remains on track.<\/p>\n Read more articles by Stuart Chirls\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n Related coverage:<\/p>\n Panama container terminal bidding stacked against U.S. companies: Source<\/a><\/p>\n Tradepoint Atlantic, MSC break ground on Baltimore container terminal<\/a><\/p>\n Maersk ro-ro first U.S.-flag ship to safely clear Strait of Hormuz<\/a><\/p>\n Port Houston lands $48M federal grant for Bayport expansion<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Upcoming FreightWaves Events<\/p>\n Fraud & Security<\/p>\n Freight Fraud Symposium<\/p>\n Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.<\/p>\n May 20, 2026<\/p>\n Rock & Roll Hall of Fame \u2022 Cleveland, OH<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n AI & Technology<\/p>\n Supply Chain AI Symposium<\/p>\n Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.<\/p>\n July 15, 2026<\/p>\n The Old Post Office \u2022 Chicago, IL<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n Rail & Policy<\/p>\n Future of Rail Symposium<\/p>\n Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.<\/p>\n July 28, 2026<\/p>\n The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo \u2022 Chattanooga, TN<\/p>\n Register Now<\/a><\/p>\n \n Fraud & Security Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.<\/p>\n Rock & Roll Hall of Fame \u2022 Cleveland, OH \n AI & Technology Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.<\/p>\n The Old Post Office \u2022 Chicago, IL \n Rail & Policy Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.<\/p>\n
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