Maersk Q1 results in line with expectations amid ongoing Red Sea disruptions

Monday, 6 May 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A. P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) said last week it delivered a first quarter in line with expectations showing a strong recovery in earnings compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. Results were driven by a good performance in Terminals and the combination of higher demand and a prolonged Red Sea crisis. As these conditions are expected to continue well into the second half of the year, Maersk lifts the lower end of its guidance range and now expects underlying EBIT at $ -2.0 to 0.0 billion.

“We had a positive start to the year with a first quarter developing precisely as we expected. Demand is trending towards the higher end of our market growth guidance and conditions in the Red Sea remain entrenched. This not only supported a recovery in the first quarter compared to the previous quarter, but also provide an improved outlook for the coming quarters, as we now expect these conditions to stay with us for most of the year. However, we still anticipate the high number of new vessels being delivered during this and next year to eventually offset these factors and put the ocean markets under renewed pressure. We therefore relentlessly continue to pursue our cost agenda with the aim of rolling back the disruption linked cost in Ocean and restoring margins in Logistics & Services. This work on cost, helped by our strong value proposition, is crucial in supporting our customers through the ongoing volatility and build a more resilient business,” says Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc.

Ocean results were impacted by the situation in the Red Sea with increased market rates and costs due to the supply chain disruptions. Strong volumes, high-capacity utilisation and continued cost discipline ensured improved results compared to the previous quarter.

Logistics & Services saw significant growth in volumes, while margin was at an unsatisfactory level on the back of too low utilisation in some of our warehouses and short-term challenges implementing new customer contracts in the ground freight business in North America.

Terminals started the year with strong results supported by good volumes growth. Strong cost management and high productivity helped improve margins.

Maersk continued to streamline its portfolio to focus on end-to-end logistics with the spin-off of Svitzer. The demerger was approved by an Extraordinary General Meeting on 26 April and completed on 30 April, with Svitzer Group A/S now listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen.