Robust operational efficiency and strategic expansions drive steady performance across all business segments in the first quarter of 2026
COPENHAGEN – A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S has reported a resilient financial performance for the first quarter of 2026, characterized by significant volume growth across its entire portfolio. Despite a landscape of shifting geopolitical tensions and industry-wide rate pressures, the company achieved an EBIT of $340 million, underpinned by a disciplined approach to cost management and a 9.3% surge in Ocean volumes.
"We’ve seen strong demand across most regions this quarter, supporting robust volume growth in our three business segments. In Ocean in particular, market volatility remains high and industry oversupply continues to put pressure on rates. In this environment our disciplined focus on cost management contributes to resilient performance. At the same time, our flexible Ocean network continues to prove its value as a true gamechanger, lowering our Ocean unit cost by 7% even as the Middle East conflict disrupted supply chains. We also continue to see profitability momentum in Terminals and most parts of Logistics & Services. This performance strengthens our competitiveness and our ability to support customers reliably through continued uncertainty in the global environment," stated Vincent Clerc, Chief Executive Officer at Maersk.
Financial Performance and Market Dynamics
The global container market showed signs of acceleration in early 2026, fueled by strong export activity from China. While the conflict in the Middle East created logistics hurdles, Maersk successfully leveraged its modular network to minimize service disruptions.
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The company reported an EBITDA of $1.8 billion for the quarter. Although lower loaded freight rates caused revenue to dip slightly compared to the previous year, the EBIT margin saw a recovery to 2.6%, up from 0.9% in the final quarter of 2025.
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Divisional Breakthroughs
Ocean: Beyond the 9.3% volume growth, the segment maintained a high asset utilization rate of 96%. Efficiency gains helped lower unit costs by 7%, though the division recorded an EBIT of -$192 million due to the ongoing global oversupply of vessels.
Logistics & Services: This segment continues its winning streak, marking the 8th consecutive quarter of margin improvement. Revenue rose by 8.7%, resulting in an EBIT of $173 million.
Terminals: A standout performer, Terminals saw revenue grow by 6.7% and volumes rise by 4.3%, delivering a solid EBIT of $436 million.
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Global Infrastructure and Fleet Renewal
Maersk continues to invest heavily in the future of sustainable trade. The company recently ordered eight large 18,600 TEU vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines, scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2030.
Significant capital has also been deployed into land-based assets:
Singapore: Inaugurated World Gateway II, a 1.1 million square foot facility.
Brazil: Completion nears for the $350 millionAPM Terminals Suape.
Mexico: A further $350 million investment is driving Phase III of the Lázaro Cárdenas expansion.
Germany: A major $1.08 billion (€1 billion) agreement with Eurogate will modernize the North Sea Terminal Bremerhaven, boosting capacity to 4 million TEU.
2026 Outlook
Maersk has maintained its full-year guidance, projecting the global container market to grow between 2% and 4% throughout 2026. While the company remains cautious regarding the timing of the reopening of the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, it expects to continue growing in line with market demand while executing its $1.0 billion share buy-back program.