Container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd increased its transport volume to 3.3 million TEU in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 0.3 million compared to the same period last year. The average freight rate increased from 1,359 to 1,480 US dollars per TEU. Revenue grew to 5.3 billion US dollars (5.1 billion euros), an increase of 0.7 billion compared to the first quarter of 2024.
Group EBITDA increased by 17 per cent to $1.1 billion (€1.0 billion), while EBIT rose by 24 per cent to $500 million (€500 million).
Forecast remains cautious
Despite this positive development, Hapag-Lloyd maintains its previous forecast for the full year 2025. The Executive Board continues to expect Group EBITDA of between USD 2.5 billion and USD 4.0 billion and EBIT of between USD 0.0 billion and USD 1.5 billion. The company cites volatile freight rates and geopolitical risks, particularly the situation in the Red Sea and global trade conflicts, as reasons for this.
Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG, points out the uncertainties in the market in the official statement:
We’ve had a good start to the first quarter of 2025, but the market environment is currently characterized by many uncertainties. Therefore, we expect continued declining results for the full year 2025.”
In addition to volatile freight rates, the company cites geopolitical risks such as the situation in the Red Sea and global trade conflicts as potential burdens.
Strategy outlook: efficiency and decarbonization
At the same time, Habben Jansen emphasises the continuation of the long-term strategy 2030. This includes, among other things, the expansion of cooperation within the framework of Gemini Cooperation , the expansion of Hanseatic Global Terminals, and investments in the decarbonization of the fleet. Cost control and digitalisation are also in focus.
