Maersk closes 2025 strong, signals steady container growth ahead

A.P. Moller-Maersk posted full-year 2025 results at the top end of its financial guidance, supported by volume growth, high asset utilization, and cost controls. These developments, the firm says, were crucial for the United States’ fresh produce importers and exporters that rely on ocean freight, terminals, and integrated logistics.

The Copenhagen-based carrier reported full-year revenue of $54 billion, EBITDA of $9.5 billion, and EBIT of $3.5 billion. The company states that performance reflected strength across Ocean, Logistics & Services, and Terminals divisions, even as freight rates declined amid industry overcapacity.

Maersk expects global container market volume growth of two to four percent in 2026 and says it plans to grow in line with the market.

“We delivered a strong performance and high value for our customers in a year where supply chains and global trade continued to be reshaped by evolving geopolitics,” says CEO Vincent Clerc. “Across our operations, volumes grew, and asset utilisation was very high. Our Ocean business set a new benchmark for reliability, Terminals delivered record results, and Logistics & Services continued to advance”.

Strong growth anchored by key segments

Maersk’s Ocean segment grew volumes by 4.9 percent in 2025, in line with the broader market. The company says high asset utilization and the launch of its new East-West network supported industry-leading reliability, with more than 90 percent on-time arrivals on average. Lower freight rates tied to excess capacity weighed on profitability.

The Terminals business delivered its strongest financial performance on record. Revenue rose 20 percent year over year, driven by record container volumes, improved rates, and higher storage revenue. Maersk highlighted continued investment in new terminals, modernization of existing facilities, and the securing of key concessions, reinforcing its role in port infrastructure critical to US imports and exports, including fresh produce.

Logistics & Services improved profitability as targeted refocusing efforts continued. Maersk says the segment has not yet reached its full potential and remains a priority area for further improvement.

Q4 performance

In the fourth quarter of 2025, Ocean volumes increased eight percent, but continued pressure on freight rates pushed EBIT to a loss of $153 million, compared with a profit of $567 million in the prior quarter.

Logistics & Services revenue rose 1.9 percent from the same quarter a year earlier. The segment posted EBIT of $194 million, with the EBIT margin improving 0.8 percent year over year to 4.9 percent, driven in part by warehousing and e-fulfillment.

Terminals revenue increased 13 percent year over year in Q4, while volumes grew 8.4 percent, supported by demand in the Americas and Europe. EBIT totaled $321 million, down from the previous quarter due to one-off items.

Strategic regrouping

Maersk will regroup its Logistics & Services products into three segments—Landside, Forwarding, and Solutions—aligning with common industry structures. Landside products will be managed at the country level, while Forwarding and Solutions will operate as global product organizations.

Looking ahead, Maersk says its 2026 guidance assumes continued shipping overcapacity and a gradual reopening of the Red Sea. The outlook also reflects a change in vessel depreciation, extending estimated useful lives from 20 to 25 years starting January 1, which the company adds will reduce depreciation expense by about $700 million in 2026.

*Photos are referential.

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