Maersk delivered a strong financial performance in the second quarter of 2026, supported by higher container volumes, rising Ocean spot rates and growth across all three of its main businesses. The Danish shipping and logistics group reported revenue of US$15.8 billion in Q2, up 20% from US$13.1 billion in the same period last year. EBITDA increased to US$3.0 billion from US$2.3 billion, while EBIT climbed to US$1.6 billion from US$845 million. The Group’s EBIT margin reached 10%. Following the stronger performance, Maersk raised its full-year earnings guidance for 2026. Ocean earnings rebound Maersk’s Ocean business recorded a 23% year-on-year increase in revenue during the second quarter. Loaded volumes grew by 4.1%, mainly supported by exports from Asia. Meanwhile, the average loaded freight rate increased by 22%. Vessel utilisation remained high at 96%. The segment generated EBIT of US$935 million, compared with US$229 million in Q2 2025. The result also marked a significant turnaround from the US$192 million EBIT loss recorded in the first quarter of 2026. Maersk said strong demand, tighter capacity and increasingly unbalanced trade flows pushed spot rates higher during the quarter. Port congestion in Europe, the Middle East, the East Coast of South America and West Africa also contributed to tighter market conditions. Middle East disruption reshapes cargo flows Disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz affected shipping patterns during the quarter. According to Maersk, inbound Gulf cargo was redirected through alternative ports and inland transportation routes. At the same time, Ocean capacity affected by the disruption was moved to other growing trade lanes. Demand was particularly strong for imports into Africa, North America and Latin America. Exports from the Far East, especially China, also remained strong. “The second quarter was yet another proof point of the new era of heightened volatility we have entered,” said Vincen