Danish logistics giant A.P. Moller-Maersk has reported a robust start to 2025, with first-quarter revenue rising 7.8% year-over-year to $13.3 billion and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) surging to $1.3 billion, up sharply from $177 million in Q1 2024.
CEO Vincent Clerc credited the strong performance to operational efficiencies and a stable global economy in the first three months of the year. “We saw positive momentum across our operations,” he said. “But as trade tensions rise and uncertainty grows, global supply chains are once again under pressure.”
Maersk’s Ocean segment led the gains, posting an EBIT of $743 million, supported by higher freight rates and steady cargo volumes. The company’s new East-West network, launched in February, is on track and expected to improve both reliability and cost efficiency.
In its Logistics & Services arm, Maersk achieved a 4.1% EBIT margin, driven by 18% year-over-year growth in freight management—particularly in Project Logistics. The Terminals segment also performed strongly, delivering a 14.5% return on invested capital (ROIC), fueled by increased volumes and higher revenue per move.
Despite the positive results, Maersk has slightly downgraded its outlook for global container volume growth in 2025 to between -1% and 4%, citing macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, including continued disruptions in the Red Sea region.
The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance, forecasting underlying EBITDA of $6–9 billion and EBIT of $0–3 billion.
The cautious outlook follows a ceasefire agreement this week between the U.S. and Yemen’s Houthi militia, which had been disrupting traffic through the Red Sea.
However, analysts warn that if shipping traffic resumes through the Suez Canal, global freight rates could face downward pressure.
Intelligence platform Xeneta estimates that a large-scale return to Red Sea routes could cut global TEU-mile demand by up to 6%, compared to the longer diversions around the Cape of Good Hope.
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