The shipping company Hapag-Lloyd generated a profit of €0.8bn in the first half of the year – less than a third of the previous year’s figure.
From January to June 2023, EBIT amounted to €2.6 billion. EBITDA is reported at €1.8bn, a good half of the previous year’s figure of €3.5bn.
However, the result was better than expected and the Executive Board is now more optimistic about the outlook than it was a few months ago. The reasons cited are the recent strong demand and higher freight rates.
High freight rates support result at Hapag-Lloyd
According to the shipping company, earnings momentum in the second half of the year is expected to exceed previous expectations. The earnings forecast for the 2024 financial year has therefore been raised.
Group EBITDA is now expected to be in the range of €3.2 to 4.2bn (previously: €2.0 to 3.0bn) and Group EBIT in the range of €1.2 to 2.2bn (previously: €0.0 to 1.0bn). However, Hapag-Lloyd adds that this forecast is subject to a high degree of uncertainty due to the highly volatile development of freight rates and the major geopolitical challenges.
The final business figures for the first half of 2024 will be published on 14 August 2024 as planned.
