Maersk Reports Solid Results in Increasingly Volatile Environment

For the first quarter of 2025 A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S (Maersk) reports revenue growth of 7.8% to USD 13.3bn with EBIT increasing to USD 1.3bn from USD 177m a year ago. These results, while sequentially down as expected, represent a good start to the year and were driven by solid profitability in Ocean, operational improvements in Logistics & Services and higher volumes in Terminals. For the full year 2025, Maersk maintains its financial guidance despite the increased uncertainty leading to a more cautious container volume growth outlook.

“We delivered strong results compared to the same quarter last year, driven by momentum in our operational efficiency and a global economy in good shape for the first three months. With trade tensions flaring up and uncertainty on the rise, global supply chains are once again in the spotlight. We are happy to be able to put the full strength of our product offering at our customers’ disposal. From the most reliable Ocean network to one of the best lead logistics and customs support teams, we are pulling every lever to help them make the best decisions for their business. At the same time, we are doubling down on the work underway on automation and cost management to remain fit for what lies ahead. These efforts give us the confidence to deliver a result in line with our guidance communicated in February,” says Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk.

 

Ocean saw improved profitability compared to the same quarter last year due to higher rates and stable volumes with an EBIT of USD 743m while the sequential decrease was as anticipated. Utilisation remained high and costs were stable due to continued high focus on optimisation. The new East-West network, which was launched in February, is on track to deliver on the reliability ambition and cost efficiencies once fully phased in.

The EBIT margin in Logistics & Services improved compared to the first quarter of last year and reached 4.1% driven by multiple products and the continued focus on costs and productivity. Revenue from freight management services grew 18% compared to the same quarter last year driven by Project Logistics. Ongoing operational improvements in fulfilment services also contributed significantly.

 

Terminals continued its great performance driven by strong volume growth, higher revenue per move and increased storage revenue, while costs were under control through automation and increased capacity utilization. Return on invested capital (ROIC) increased to 14.5%.

Financial guidance

Maersk maintains its full-year 2025 guidance of underlying EBITDA of USD 6-9bn, underlying EBIT of USD 0-3bn and free cash flow of at least negative USD 3.0bn. The global container market volume growth has been revised to -1% to 4% given the increased macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. Maersk expects to grow in line with the market. The disruption in the Red Sea is expected to continue throughout the rest of the year.

Source: Official Press Release

Baltic Container Terminal Welcomes New MSC Service

Baltic Container Terminal (BCT), International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation in the Port of Gdynia, Poland, has been integrated into the rotation of Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) Britannia Ocean Service.

MSC’s new service made its inaugural call in BCT on April 9, marked by the arrival of the MSC Rose. It offers a direct deep-sea connection between Asia and Northern Europe, covering major commercial ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Yantian, Vung Tau, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, and Liverpool.

 

“BCT’s inclusion in MSC’s new service strengthens the Port of Gdynia’s role as a deep-water port and highlights our terminal’s modern facilities. We expect the service to increase export transshipment volume and boost intermodal operations,” said Wojciech Szymulewicz, BCT chief executive officer.

 

“With the arrival of this new service, we embrace the opportunity to expand our role in international maritime trade and make the Port of Gdynia more globally competitive,” he added.

 

BCT moved a total of 8,200 TEUs during the call of the 364-meter-long MSC ROSE, which was followed by the call of the 366-meter-long MSC DARIA on April 17. The vessels have capacities of 15,500 TEUs and 15,264 TEUs, respectively. Receiving regular calls from these ultra large container vessels highlights BCT’s capability to handle the largest vessels in existence, underlining the terminal’s strategic importance in the Baltic Sea region.

 

About Baltic Container Terminal Ltd. (BCT)

In May 2003, ICTSI was awarded a 20-year concession by the Port Authority of Gydnia to develop, operate and manage the container terminal in Pomerania, Gydnia, Poland. ICTSI purchased Baltycki Terminal Kontenerowy Sp. z. o. o. (BCT), which had held the lease to the terminal. Poland’s window to the world, BCT is strategically located within pan-European transport corridors and railway routes, and with excellent road and on-dock rail connectivity to inland Europe. (www.bct.gydnia.pl)

 

About International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI)
Headquartered and established in 1988 in Manila, Philippines, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is in the business of port development, management and operations.  ICTSI’s portfolio of terminals and projects are located in developed and emerging market economies in the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.  Independent with no shipping or consignee-related interests, ICTSI works and transacts transparently with all stakeholders of the supply chain.  ICTSI continues to receive global acclaim for its public-private partnerships, which are focused on sustainable development, and supported by corporate social responsibility initiatives. (www.ictsi.com) 

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Receives Additional Orders for Three Methanol-Fueled RORO Cargo Ships

Contract Signing Ceremony
(From left: Mr. Eiji Takeichi, President, Toyofuji Shipping
Mr. Shoichiro Miyazaki, President, Miyazaki Sangyo Kaiun
Mr. Kiminori Hiura, President, Nichitoku Kisen
Mr. Shin Ueda, President & CEO, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding)

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has received additional orders for three methanol-fueled roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo ships(Note1) from Toyofuji Shipping Co., Ltd. (Aichi Prefecture), Miyazaki Sangyo Kaiun Co., Ltd. (Oita Prefecture), and Nichitoku Kisen Co., Ltd. (Hiroshima Prefecture). The three ships will be built at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture, with scheduled completion and delivery in order from fiscal 2028.

The ships will be approximately 168.0 meters in overall length and 30.2 meters in breadth, with 15,750 gross tonnage, and loading capacity for around 2,300 passenger vehicles.

A windscreen at the bow and a vertical stem are used to reduce propulsion resistance, while fuel efficiency is improved by employing MHI's proprietary energy-saving system technology combining high-efficiency propellers and high-performance rudders with reduced resistance. The main engine is a high-performance dual-fuel engine that can use both methanol and A heavy fuel oil, expected to reduce CO₂ emissions per transport unit by more than 20% compared to ships currently operated by heavy fuel oil and owned by Toyofuji Shipping, contributing to a reduced environmental impact. In the future, the use of green methanol(Note2) may lead to further reduction in CO₂ emissions, including throughout the lifecycle of the fuel. Methanol-fueled RORO ships have already been entered service as ocean-going vessels around the world. This is MHI's second order for construction of coastal RORO vessels for service in Japan, following an order for two methanol-fueled RORO vessels placed with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding in June 2024.

In addition, the significant increase in vehicle loading capacity and transport capacity per voyage compared to conventional vessels will provide greater leeway in the ship allocation schedule, securing more holiday and rest time for the crew, thereby contributing to working style reforms.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, to address the growing needs from the modal shift in marine transport against the backdrop of CO₂ reductions in land transportation, labor shortages, and working style reforms, will continue to work with its business partners to provide solutions for a range of societal issues by building ferries and RORO vessels with excellent fuel efficiency and environmental performance that contribute to stable navigation for customers.

Source: https://www.mhi.com/news/25032104.html

Child devotee of Lord Murugan Walking barefoot

Palani Temple Barefoot Walking by devotees

MoS Shipping Shantanu Thakur Reviews Various Projects at JNPA, Interacts With Stakeholders

Mumbai, January 29, 2025: Shri Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Government of India, visited Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority - India’s Best Performing Port, on 29 January, 2025.  He was welcomed by Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman, JNPA & CMD, VPPL.

Shri Unmesh Sharad Wagh, IRS, Chairman, JNPA and CMD, VPPL, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the progress of Vadhvan Port. He highlighted that the project is advancing ahead of schedule, underscoring the port’s strategic importance in enhancing India’s maritime trade capabilities. The Minister also felicitated Shri Govind Bodke, IAS, District Collector, Palghar, and Shri Balasaheb Patil, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Palghar, for their instrumental contributions in facilitating environmental clearances, conducting public hearings, and laying the foundation stone for VPPL.

It was followed by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University and Vadhvan Port Project Limited. Under this collaboration, the university will design and conduct essential skill-based programs tailored to the operational requirements of Vadhvan Port. The initiative will focus on developing training modules and creating employment opportunities for skilled students, thereby generating a future-ready workforce for the maritime sector. An agreement was also signed between VPPL and M/s ITD Cementation India Ltd. for the construction of Near Shore Reclamation and Shore Protection for the Greenfield Vadhvan Port.

He addressed a stakeholders’ meeting, where he engaged with port users and trade representatives to understand their perspectives and discuss strategic initiatives to address the evolving needs of India’s maritime sector and facilitate smoother trade operations.

Speaking at the occasion, Shri Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, said, “Ports are the gateways to a nation's economic growth, and JNPA is an example of India's maritime potential. Here I witnessed how infrastructure development and operational advancements are driving progress. Interactions with stakeholders highlighted important insights on the trade's evolving needs and expectations. With strategic projects like Vadhvan Port on the horizon, we are paving the way for enhanced trade capacity and global competitiveness. The government remains dedicated to creating policies and infrastructure that empower the maritime industry, streamline logistics, and bolster India's standing as a major player in global trade.”

Additionally, during his visit, Shri Shantanu Thakur performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Construction of the Entrance Gate Building & Development of its Surrounding Area at the Landing jetty in JN Port. The building will include a recreational space for sunset views against the Mumbai skyline, an iconic landmark near the jetty, and increased seating with functional cafeterias. VVIP lounging areas, improved vehicular access, space for security personnel, and an information desk further enhance passenger comfort and site management.

He also visited GTI, one of the most efficient container terminals at JNPA, where he was briefed on terminal operations by the CEO of GTI. The Minister’s tour included key infrastructure and operational facilities at JNPA, such as the Centralised Parking Plaza (CPP), JNPA SEZ, and the Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) at SEZ.

About JNPA:

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is one of the premier container-handling ports in India. Since its inception on May 26, 1989, JNPA has transformed from a bulk cargo terminal into the premier container port in the country.

Currently, JNPA operates five container terminals - NSFT, NSICT, NSIGT, BMCT and APMT. The Port also has a Shallow Water Berth for general cargo. A Liquid Cargo Terminal present at the JNPA Port is managed by the BPCL-IOCL consortium. Additionally, the newly constructed coastal berth links other Indian ports and facilitates enhancing the traffic of coastal containers.

Nestled across 277 hectares of land, JNPA also operates a meticulously designed multi-product SEZ, with state-of-the-art infrastructure, to boost export-oriented industries in India.

JNPA is also developing an all-weather, deep-draft, greenfield port at Vadhvan, in Maharashtra. It is poised to be among the top 10 ports globally and will be 100% green port since its inception.

Ocean Network Express Welcomes The ONE Responsibility to West Africa

On 23 of January 2025, Ocean Network Express (ONE) celebrated a historic milestone with the arrival of their first magenta ONE vessel, ONE Responsibility, in West Africa. This call at Meridian Port Services (MPS), Tema, marks a significant development for both Ghana’s trade services as well as ONE’s growing connections in  West Africa and globally. 

The 2024-built, Hong Kong flagged ONE Responsibility, is fitted with wind deflecting bow shields to improve aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption, Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) or “scrubbers” and several other energy saving technologies. The 7,000 TEU vessel made its way from Singapore, to Tema, where it will then join the fleet supporting ONE's growing suite of services connecting Europe and Africa, such as the SRX. where it will then join the fleet of Europe and Africa’s growing services such as the SRX. 

This is the first call of ONE’s magenta vessels in West Africa, and future vessels will be introduced onto the SW2 service. The SW2 is a weekly service connecting West Africa with China and the Far East. ONE also operates services including WA1, AIM, and ARS, connecting West Africa to Europe, the Middle East and Asia;  while providing our customers the best transit time from Durban to the Middle East for perishable fresh fruits. 

Director of ONE Ghana, Richard Smith, commented “The maiden call of the ONE Responsibility at MPS is a very significant event.  This is the very first ONE-operated Magenta container vessel to call at any West African port.  It signifies the commitment of ONE to Ghana and to all our customers in West Africa. It is no coincidence that we chose Tema for the first call, given ONE's long standing relationship with Ghana, the Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority and with MPS.”

He added, “ONE is currently going through a major upgrade of our services from Asia to West Africa, with increased capacity to carry our customers' cargo to and from this important market.  So, we will be seeing many more Magenta vessels arriving here, but this is the first  - a major milestone in the history of our company in Ghana.”