Global container carriers report US$15.4B EBIT in 2025, down from US$35.4B in 2024, yet above pre-pandemic levels.
Global container carriers posted combined EBIT of US$15.4 billion in 2025, showing moderation in earnings but avoiding a sharp downturn, reported London's Port Technology International.
Analysis from Sea-Intelligence indicated that profits fell from $35.4 billion in 2024 and remain well below the highs of 2021 and 2022. However, performance continues to exceed pre-pandemic benchmarks, with all major carriers reporting operating profits.
COSCO led with EBIT of US$4.93 billion, followed by Evergreen at US$2.36 billion, OOCL at US$1.54 billion, and Maersk at US$1.39 billion. ONE and Yang Ming reported EBIT of US$459 million and US$472 million, respectively.
On a per-container basis, earnings declined compared with 2024. ONE saw the steepest drop, with EBIT per TEU falling to US$36. ZIM reported US$277 per TEU, HMM at US$257, and OOCL at US$195. COSCO reached US$180 per TEU, while Yang Ming posted US$107.
Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk returned to more typical historical ranges, reporting US$83 and US$54 per TEU, respectively. These figures suggest the sector has moved past exceptional profitability but remains stronger than pre-pandemic conditions.
