Shipping group says its first quarter profitability was up “significantly” despite a volatile market environment
Hapag-Lloyd has reported on a positive opening quarter of the year, with group profit rising 45 per cent to US$469mn from US$323mn in the same period of 2024.
Revenues jumped from US$4.6bn last year to US$5.3bn, driven by a transport volume of 3.3mn TEU and an average freight rate of 1,480 US$/TEU in the liner shipping segment, both of which were 9 per cent higher due to strong demand.
EBITDA rose to US$1.1bn from US$942mn in the first quarter of 2024.
“With this quarterly result, we have gotten 2025 off to a good start,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd.
”In Gemini Cooperation, we have achieved the targeted high schedule reliability, with which we have been able to clearly set ourselves apart from our competitors.
”We have made good progress with Hanseatic Global Terminals as we strengthened our position in France,” he continued.
”The situation in the Red Sea and the impact of global tariffs and trade policies continue to be causes for concern for the entire logistics industry and bring with them considerable uncertainty.
”We will continue to implement our Strategy 2030, vigorously focus on our costs and target additional savings of more than US$1bn within the next 18 months,” Habben Jansen added.
Looking ahead, Hapag-Lloyd said its group EBITDA for the 2025 financial year is expected to be in the range of US$2.5-4bn and group EBIT in the range of US$0-1.5bn.
”In light of major geopolitical challenges and volatile freight rates, the outlook is subject to a very high degree of uncertainty,” the group noted.
