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The Maersk Alfirk, Left and Colorado Express container ships do the Los Angeles, California, USA, April 24, 2025 at the port of Los Angeles, California, USA, April 24, 2025.
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Danish shipping giant Maersk On Thursday, he published stronger than the expected operating profit from the first quarter, but warned that the current level of trade rates in the United States could limit the volume of the market for global containers.
The company, considered a world trade barometer, reported preliminary major profits before interest, taxes, depreciation and depreciation (EBITDA) of $ 2.71 billion in the first three months of the year.
This is 70% of $ 1.59 billion For the same period, a year earlier and over $ 2.57 billion, expected by analysts in a LSEG survey.
Maersk maintained its $ 2025 profit instructions to between $ 6 billion and $ 9 billion, but said the growth of the global containers market in 2025 was revised to -1% to 4% “Given the increased macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty.” Previously, Maersk predicted the volume of the container of 4% in 2025.
The results come as shipping continues to be oriented in a complex tariff landscape caused by US President Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump’s current policy includes 145% import duties on products from China, which encourages Beijing to return to US goods rates.
“The first quarter was actually a continuation of the very strong demand and a very healthy economy we had last year. So, with strong demand, we were able to generate these truly solid results,” Maersk Executive Director Vincent Clerk told CNBC “Squawk Box Europe“On Thursday.
“These results were also the result of the strong preparation for what was to come. We knew it would be uneven, and indeed, after the message on April 2, things became a little more remedial,” he continued.
“The key to us is that, as it is today, it is mostly a matter for China and the US and has not yet polluted any of the other commercial canvases of other origin and destinations with the United States or China, or even what the rest of the world trades together,” Clerk said.
“A lot of instability forward”
However, regarding the volume of the container market, Clair said that the size and rapid escalation of US-China tariffs led to a sharp correction.
The volumes of the container market in China and the US have dropped between 30% to 40% in April as customers are taking an approach to waiting for the tariff situation, the company said.
“Unless we find a solution there, then the current rate of tariffs is just excessive on both sides to really show some recovery. So, a rather purposeful impact so far,” said Clart, adding that he expects “a lot of variability ahead.”
The interruption in the Red Sea is expected to continue for the rest of the year, Maersk said.
The company’s shares traded by 2.5% shorter shortly after the bell opening.