Danish shipping giant Maersk upgraded its 2026 profit outlook for a third time on Thursday, as congested ports, resilient consumer demand and investments in artificial intelligence keep container freight rates elevated.
"Despite continued geopolitical uncertainty and disruptions, global trade has remained remarkably resilient," CEO Vincent Clerc said in a statement.
"Demand is being driven not only by consumer spending, but increasingly by major investments in electrification, energy and the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, generating significant flows of industrial cargo around the world," he said.
The world’s second-largest container line now expects underlying profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of between $14 billion and $14.5 billion this year, up from a previous guided range of between $10.5 billion and $12.5 billion.
Underlying operating profit (EBIT) is expected to be between $8 billion and $8.5 billion, up from a previous range of $4.5 billion to $6.5 billion, it said.
Maersk's third-quarter profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 75% to $4.7 billion, below a mean forecast of $5.04 billion in an LSEG poll.
