Heavy!Hapag-Lloyd’s latest financial report shows a loss of US$256 million in the first quarter!Is t
- Author:Maintenance network
- Source:Maintenance network
- Release Date:2026-05-15
On May 13, local time, German container liner company Hapag-Lloyd announced its first quarter financial report for 2026.The financial report shows that the company's first-quarter performance continues to be under pressure due to falling freight rates and supply chain disruptions, but the overall loss has narrowed compared with the same period last year.
01
First-quarter results continue to be under pressure
EBIT decreased by $645 million year-on-year
According to the official financial report data released by Hapag-Lloyd, the company's profit before interest and tax (EBIT) in the first quarter of 2026 was US$157 million, a decrease of US$645 million compared with the same period in 2025.The company's overall net loss was US$256 million, compared with a loss of US$469 million in the same period in 2025.
Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said in the financial report: "The first quarter of 2026 was not ideal for the company, with weather-related supply chain disruptions and freight rate pressure leading to a significant decline in performance."
Full-year guidance remains unchanged
Despite a weak first quarter, Hapag-Lloyd maintained its previously announced full-year performance forecast.The company expects:
• Full-year 2026 EBITDA expected to be $1.1 billion to $3.1 billion;
• EBIT is expected to range from a loss of US$1.5 billion to a profit of US$500 million.
The management also emphasized that due to the great uncertainty still existing in global freight rates and the situation in the Middle East, the full-year performance forecast is still subject to large fluctuation risks.
02
Gemini alliance and business performance
The "Gemini Alliance" is believed to relieve some of the pressure
Hapag-Lloyd said that the Gemini Cooperation network it jointly operates with Maersk has helped the company maintain a high level of service stability in a complex market environment.
Rolf Habben Jansen said:
"The Gemini network has demonstrated strong resilience even under difficult conditions, helping the company continue to maintain reliable services for its customers."
Shipment volume remained basically stable in the first quarter
In terms of business volume, the cargo volume of Hapag-Lloyd's container shipping business in the first quarter only decreased by approximately 22,000 TEU year-on-year, with a total transportation volume of approximately 3.2 million TEU.
Terminal business achieves growth
Compared with the shipping business, Hapag-Lloyd’s terminal business continues to grow.
The financial report shows:
• Terminal business revenue increased to US$168 million in the first quarter from US$109 million in the same period last year;
• EBIT increased from US$15 million to US$18 million.
The company stated that the growth in cargo volume in the Latin American and Indian markets is one of the important reasons for the improvement of port business.
03
Subsequent transactions and market environment
The acquisition of ZIM is still pending approval
Hapag-Lloyd disclosed that its transactions related to the acquisition of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services are still awaiting regulatory approval and have not yet completed final delivery.
The industry as a whole still faces pressure on freight rates
Recently, many European liner companies have mentioned the pressure on profitability caused by falling freight rates and supply chain fluctuations.
At the same time, recent data from Drewry and the Shanghai Shipping Exchange show that spot freight rates on Asia-Europe and trans-Pacific routes are still in a volatile downward stage since the second quarter.
01
First-quarter results continue to be under pressure
EBIT decreased by $645 million year-on-year
According to the official financial report data released by Hapag-Lloyd, the company's profit before interest and tax (EBIT) in the first quarter of 2026 was US$157 million, a decrease of US$645 million compared with the same period in 2025.The company's overall net loss was US$256 million, compared with a loss of US$469 million in the same period in 2025.
Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said in the financial report: "The first quarter of 2026 was not ideal for the company, with weather-related supply chain disruptions and freight rate pressure leading to a significant decline in performance."
Full-year guidance remains unchanged
Despite a weak first quarter, Hapag-Lloyd maintained its previously announced full-year performance forecast.The company expects:
• Full-year 2026 EBITDA expected to be $1.1 billion to $3.1 billion;
• EBIT is expected to range from a loss of US$1.5 billion to a profit of US$500 million.
The management also emphasized that due to the great uncertainty still existing in global freight rates and the situation in the Middle East, the full-year performance forecast is still subject to large fluctuation risks.
02
Gemini alliance and business performance
The "Gemini Alliance" is believed to relieve some of the pressure
Hapag-Lloyd said that the Gemini Cooperation network it jointly operates with Maersk has helped the company maintain a high level of service stability in a complex market environment.
Rolf Habben Jansen said:
"The Gemini network has demonstrated strong resilience even under difficult conditions, helping the company continue to maintain reliable services for its customers."
Shipment volume remained basically stable in the first quarter
In terms of business volume, the cargo volume of Hapag-Lloyd's container shipping business in the first quarter only decreased by approximately 22,000 TEU year-on-year, with a total transportation volume of approximately 3.2 million TEU.
Terminal business achieves growth
Compared with the shipping business, Hapag-Lloyd’s terminal business continues to grow.
The financial report shows:
• Terminal business revenue increased to US$168 million in the first quarter from US$109 million in the same period last year;
• EBIT increased from US$15 million to US$18 million.
The company stated that the growth in cargo volume in the Latin American and Indian markets is one of the important reasons for the improvement of port business.
03
Subsequent transactions and market environment
The acquisition of ZIM is still pending approval
Hapag-Lloyd disclosed that its transactions related to the acquisition of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services are still awaiting regulatory approval and have not yet completed final delivery.
The industry as a whole still faces pressure on freight rates
Recently, many European liner companies have mentioned the pressure on profitability caused by falling freight rates and supply chain fluctuations.
At the same time, recent data from Drewry and the Shanghai Shipping Exchange show that spot freight rates on Asia-Europe and trans-Pacific routes are still in a volatile downward stage since the second quarter.