Maersk posts strong Q1 profit amid trade war concerns

By Mucahithan Avcioglu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Danish shipping giant Maersk on Thursday reported a stronger-than-expected first-quarter operating profit, even as fears mount over escalating global trade tensions and ongoing maritime disruptions.

Seen as a bellwether for global trade, Maersk posted preliminary earnings of $2.71 billion before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the first quarter of 2025 -- a 70% increase from $1.59 billion in the same period last year and well above analyst expectations.

The company also reported a 7.2% year-on-year rise in revenue, reaching $13.3 billion for the quarter.

Despite the strong performance, Maersk revised its outlook for global container market volume growth to a range of -1% to 4%, citing growing macroeconomic and geopolitical instability. However, it maintained its full-year EBITDA forecast of between $6 billion and $9 billion.

The company warned that disruptions in the Red Sea, where tensions have affected shipping lanes, are expected to persist throughout the year.

“Both the direct effects of tariffs and the indirect impacts from a weakening US economy are expected to spill over to other countries and regions,” the company said in its earnings release.

Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc acknowledged the challenges but stressed the company’s readiness to support customers navigating the volatile environment.

“With trade tensions flaring up and uncertainty on the rise, global supply chains are once again in the spotlight,” Clerc said. “We are happy to be able to put the full strength of our product offering at our customers’ disposal.”

The results come as the maritime sector grapples with an increasingly complex tariff landscape, shaped by US President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies. Washington recently imposed tariffs of up to 245% on Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to retaliate with countermeasures on US exports.