A.P. Moller-Maersk has significantly upgraded its financial guidance for 2026 after stronger-than-expected demand in the global container shipping market and persistently high spot freight rates, particularly on trades from the Far East, boosted its outlook. The Danish shipping group now expects underlying EBITDA of between US$8 billion and US$10 billion this year, up from its previous forecast of US$4.5 billion to US$7 billion.
Underlying EBIT is projected at US$2 billion to US$4 billion, compared with earlier guidance ranging from a loss of US$1.5 billion to a profit of US$1 billion. Maersk also improved its free cash flow guidance, saying it now expects free cash flow of at least negative US$1.5 billion, compared with its previous expectation of at least negative US$3 billion.
The company said the stronger outlook reflects continued resilience in global container demand and a sustained increase in spot freight rates. It also raised its forecast for global container market volume growth this year to around 4%, up from its previous estimate of 2% to 4%.
The revised guidance underscores the strength of the container shipping market, which continues to benefit from prolonged supply chain disruption that has kept freight rates elevated across the major east-west trade lanes. While geopolitical tensions have created significant operational challenges for carriers and cargo owners, they have also absorbed vessel capacity through longer voyages and network disruption, helping to support freight rates.
Maersk is scheduled to report its second-quarter results on 13 August.