Maersk raises 2026 forecast as quarterly EBITDA climbs to $4.7bn

Friday 6th November 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

Maersk raised its 2026 earnings forecast after third-quarter EBITDA increased to US$4.7 billion from $2.7 billion a year earlier, helped by higher freight rates and port congestion that constrained shipping capacity.

The logistics group now expects annual underlying EBITDA of $14 billion–$14.5 billion, up from $10.5 billion–$12.5 billion, according to its 5 November interim report. Underlying operating-profit guidance rose to $8 billion–$8.5 billion from $4.5 billion–$6.5 billion.

EBITDA excludes financing items, tax, depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges. Revenue for the quarter ended 30 September rose 27% to $18.1 billion. Operating profit reached $3.3 billion, compared with $1.3 billion, while free cash flow increased to $2.4 billion from $771 million.

African terminal volumes grew 14%, contributing to a 2.6% increase across Maersk’s terminal business, the company said in its results statement. It also identified Africa among the regions supporting global container-import demand; these group results do not disclose a separate African earnings figure.

The Ocean business’s average freight rates were 46% above a year earlier, while loaded volumes were broadly flat. Congestion and severe Asian weather reduced available capacity. Maersk said network disruption also increased fuel and container-handling costs and hurt schedule reliability.

The results are separate from the carrier’s announced 9 November surcharges on China–Dar es Salaam cargo. Those booking-specific charges do not represent its average global freight rate.

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