On the basis of preliminary and unaudited figures, Hapag-Lloyd achieved a 17 per cent increase in group gross operating profit over the prior-year figure, to US$1.1 billion, in the first quarter of 2025.
In the same period, the group net profit improved by 24 per cent, to US$500 million. The company said the main drivers of this development were a transport volume of 3.3 million TEUs and an average freight rate of US$1,480/TEU, both of which were nine per cent higher than in the same quarter of 2024 due to strong demand.
“We got 2025 off to a good start in the first quarter, but the market environment is currently characterised by many uncertainties," said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd. "We therefore continue to expect lower results for 2025 as a whole."
Jansen said the company will, "set a new standard of quality in the market for our customers with our Gemini Cooperation," and further expand the Hanseatic Global Terminals business.
"In addition, we will keep a close eye on our costs and work intensively on becoming even more digital and efficient."
For the 2025 financial year, the Hapag-Lloyd executive board continues to expect the group gross operating profit to be in the range of US$2.5 billion to US$4 billion. The company said this forecast remains subject to considerable uncertainty due to the volatile development of freight rates and major geopolitical challenges.
