Maersk Raises 2026 Profit Guidance Again
The shipping giant lifted its full-year underlying EBITDA and EBIT outlook as freight rates and port congestion boosted results.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Transportation
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Maersk now expects full-year 2026 underlying EBITDA of US$14.0Bn-14.5Bn and underlying EBIT of US$8Bn-8.5Bn, up from its previous guidance. The revision follows an earlier increase announced in August, as average spot freight rates rose 46% in the third quarter.
Why it matters
The repeated upgrade signals that elevated freight rates and port delays are translating into substantial earnings for container carriers. Maersk's guidance is closely watched as an indicator of conditions across global container shipping.
Maersk's Q3 2026 underlying EBITDA rose to US$4.7Bn from US$2.7Bn a year earlier, and underlying EBIT climbed to US$3.2Bn from US$1.1Bn. The company's full-year EBIT outlook of US$8Bn-8.5Bn compares with a prior range of US$4.5Bn-6.5Bn.
The players
Maersk
A.P. Moller-Maersk is a Danish shipping and logistics company that is one of the world's largest container carriers.
Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding
A Shanghai-based Chinese shipbuilder that is reconsidering its involvement in Maersk's newbuilding programme because of quoted prices.
Hengli Heavy Industries
A Chinese heavy industry company identified as a potential candidate for the Maersk newbuilding order.
The details
Asian exports slowed in July and August amid weather-related disruptions, and a severe typhoon season caused substantial port congestion that absorbed a sizeable amount of vessel capacity. Global average port waiting times peaked at 16.6 hours, the highest since January 2023, tightening available capacity and supporting freight rates.
Timeline
July and August 2026: Asian exports slowed amid weather-related disruptions.
August 2026: Maersk announced an earlier increase in its profit guidance.
Q3 2026: Maersk reported strong quarterly financial results.
September 2026: Hengli secured 26 LNG dual-fuel 18,600-TEU ships.
Market Landscape
The 46% quarter-over-quarter rise in SCFI spot freight rates extends a rate upswing that is now reflected in successive guidance upgrades from the world's leading container carriers. Maersk's 13.5% market share gives its earnings trajectory weight across the wider container shipping market.
Higher freight rates and port delays tend to feed into the cost of imported goods, so shoppers may see these pressures reflected in retail prices over time. Businesses that depend on container shipping may need to plan for longer waits and higher transport costs.
The takeaway
Strong guidance upgrades show how quickly capacity constraints can turn into profit for shipping companies. Readers tracking freight costs should watch port waiting times and spot rate indexes for early signals of where prices are heading.
Further reading
For more on how freight pricing and shipping capacity shape the sector, explore our Transportation coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Riviera.
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