Despite constant changes in US trade policies causing volatility in ocean freight demand and rates, German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd closed the first half of 2025 (H25) with group EBITDA of $1.9 billion .
According to its earnings report, the group’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) decreased to $700 million and profit to $800 million during the period.
According to the shipping company, in addition to trade changes in the United States, port congestion and the tense security situation in the Red Sea also affected operations.
In the liner shipping segment , the firm’s revenue increased to $10.386 billion in the first half of 2025, representing an 11.4% increase compared to the same period last year, when it was $9.32 billion.
This was primarily due to an 11% increase in shipping volumes to 6.7 million 20-foot containers (TEU) , compared to 6.1 million TEU in the same period in 2024, driven by growth in east-west routes.
In its report, the shipping company indicated that at $1,400 per TEU , the average freight rate was similar to the previous year’s level of $1,391.
“In a volatile market, we significantly increased our transport volume and ended the first half of the year on a solid note overall. We have gotten our Gemini network off to a very successful start and are setting new standards in our industry in terms of schedule reliability. Furthermore, we have made significant progress in the expansion of Hanseatic Global Terminals ,” explained Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG.
In the first half of the year, the terminals and infrastructure segment achieved an increase in sales and profits. EBITDA amounted to $79 million, compared to $71 million in the same period in 2024, representing an increase of 11.3 percent.
EBIT, in turn, increased by 12.1% to $37 million, compared to $33 million in the first half of last year.
“Furthermore, the terminal portfolio was further expanded in March 2025 with the acquisition of a majority stake in CNMP LH in Le Havre, France,” the report noted.
Due to the strong commercial performance achieved in the first half of 2025, in line with expectations, the Board of Directors adjusted its earnings forecast for fiscal year 2025.
In this regard, the group’s EBITDA is expected to be between $2.8 billion and $3.8 billion , and EBIT between $250 million and $1.25 billion. “Given the wide range of geopolitical challenges and the volatility of freight rates, the forecast remains subject to considerable uncertainty.”
“In the second half of the year, we will maintain our focus on quality and growth, as well as operational and commercial performance, while continuing to optimize our cost structure. At the same time, we will do everything in our power to help our customers navigate this volatile market environment, and we expect more new trade agreements to make their supply chains more predictable,” emphasized Rolf Habben Jansen.
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