Maersk's second-quarter EBITDA reached $3.0 billion, well above the median company-compiled forecast of $2.12 billion and up from $2.30 billion a year earlier. Shares rose 8% at the open. The Danish group, the world's second-largest container carrier, lifted its 2026 underlying EBITDA guidance to $10.5-12.5 billion from $8-10 billion, and operating profit to $4.5-6.5 billion from $2-4 billion.
The gains came from higher freight rates driven by Middle East disruption, port congestion and strong Chinese export growth, which Maersk said more than offset a 40% contraction in Middle East imports. The Ocean division's operating costs rose 19%, with average bunker prices up 44% year-on-year. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have recently begun a gradual return to Red Sea routes.
