European container carriers, led by Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk, are set to report strong Q3 profits due to high freight rates and robust global demand.
European container carriers are expected to report strong results in the third quarter. Hapag-Lloyd has raised its annual profit forecast, while analysts are also anticipating a new increase from Maersk.
The ongoing demand in global trade and high freight rates are supporting the profit expectations of major container shipping companies in Europe for the third quarter. According to a Bernstein assessment reported by Reuters on October 6, Maersk may raise its annual forecasts for the third time this year.
Hapag-Lloyd has increased its forecast.
Hapag-Lloyd announced on September 28 that it has raised its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) forecast for 2026 to between $3.9 billion and $4.4 billion. The company's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) estimate has been updated to between $1.25 billion and $1.75 billion.
The company also reported that the forecasts carry high uncertainty due to fluctuations in freight rates and geopolitical tensions.
Maersk's second-quarter profit exceeded expectations.
In its second-quarter results announced on August 13, Maersk reported an EBITDA of $3 billion. This result was above the analyst expectation of $2.12 billion.
The company raised its annual EBIT forecast to between $10.5 billion and $12.5 billion, while its operating profit expectation was increased to between $4.5 billion and $6.5 billion. Alongside strong demand and high freight rates, port congestion had also put pressure on transport capacity during that period.
Return to Suez is progressing gradually.
According to Maersk's September European market update, it has been decided that the AE19 and AE15 services, operated in partnership with Hapag-Lloyd, will pass through the Suez Canal instead of the Cape of Good Hope.
The company described this change as a limited step taken after assessing security conditions in the Red Sea. It noted that the decision does not mean that the entire East-West network has returned to the Suez route.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
