Maersk Line delivers breakeven result despite record low freight rates

Maersk Line's first quarter (Q1) 2016 result was USD 37 million, 94.9% lower than Q1 2015 (USD 714m) due to weak demand and record low freight rates. The first quarter in 2016 was characterised by a continuation of the global rate war in container shipping, driven by weak demand and significant supply growth.

The global container shipping demand growth was about 1% and the global container fleet (capacity) growth was above 7%. Consequently, the market conditions continue to be very challenging. Maersk Line's average rate decreased by 25.5% to a record low of 1,857 USD/FFE.

"We improved our financial performance compared to the fourth quarter in 2015 despite continued drop in prices. However, our first quarter result is not satisfactory, though as expected. In a market with record low freight rates, we won market share, drove down cost and continued to deliver positive free cash flow, enabling us to fund our own growth," says Soren Skou, CEO of Maersk Line. Maersk Line announced three new services.

Seago Line's Irish Sea service, SeaLand's Atlantico service and Maersk Line's Transpacific TP18 service will provide new trade opportunities to customers in Mexico, the US, China, The British Isles, West Africa and the Mediterranean. The organisational transformation and cost initiatives, announced 4 November 2015, are progressing as planned.

The capacity reductions made in the last half of 2015 are also paying off. Maersk Line has increased utilisation, especially on its services from Asia to Europe. Utilisation on the trade is expected to remain high. However, rates on the trade are unsustainable, why Maersk Line will continue to work on improving profitability.

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