- Volatile Market Driven by Tariffs and Geopolitical Risks.
- Group Revenue Rises 2.1% to €14.4 Billion.
- Earnings Forecast Narrowed for Full Year.
The company has made the decision to invest in a new fleet segment that’s under 5,000 TEU, likely using a mix of long-term charters and owned vessels. Hapag-Lloyd is set to acquire as many as 22 new ships, which is a significant move towards enhancing operational efficiency and working towards its net-zero fleet goals by 2045, reports Shipping Telegraph.
Market Volatility Driven by Tariffs and Global Disruptions
Throughout the first nine months of 2025, demand and freight rates have been quite variable, largely due to the new US tariff policy. Additionally, operational hurdles have arisen from congestion at major seaports and the security situation in the Red Sea.
Revenue Growth Despite Challenging Conditions
Group revenue saw a 2.1% increase, reaching €14.4 billion, compared to €14.1 billion during the same timeframe in 2024. The executive board has adjusted the earnings forecast to align with the business performance.
- EBITDA: €2.8–3.2 billion
- EBIT: €0.5–1.0 billion
The company pointed out that geopolitical instability and changing freight rates contribute to a significant level of uncertainty regarding future outlooks.
Expanding Fleet and Order Book
By the end of September, Hapag-Lloyd was operating 305 vessels, an increase from 299 at the end of 2024, with total capacity rising to 2.5 million TEU. The order book featured 24 new builds totalling 312,000 TEU, which are scheduled for delivery by 2029.
CEO Highlights Strong Volumes and Gemini Network Benefits
CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said: “The first nine months were characterised by a highly volatile market environment, partly due to geopolitical developments and uncertainties surrounding trade policies.
“On the back of strong demand from our customers, we delivered strong transport volume growth and achieved a solid overall result. With the Gemini network, we set a new quality benchmark in terms of schedule reliability, which clearly sets us apart from our competitors.
“We see first cost advantages from Gemini and will deliver the planned savings in full in the course of 2026. Additionally, we have further expanded our terminal business under the Hanseatic Global Terminals brand. Looking ahead, we will respond agilely to changes in global trade and maintain strict cost discipline. While doing so, we will not compromise on quality for our customers.”
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Source: Shipping Telegraph
