Maersk Continues to Grow Logistics Business and Deliver Record Results

AP Moller - Maersk (Maersk) delivered record results in Q2 2022. Revenue increased by 52% and earnings more than doubled compared to same quarter last year.

Results were driven by continued exceptional market conditions and sustained momentum from the strategic transformation focused on integrated logistics.

Based on the strong performance in first half of 2022, Maersk has upgraded its guidance for the full year 2022 and increased the current share buyback programme.

In Q2, revenue grew to $21.7 billion, EBITDA and EBIT increased to $10.3 billion and $9 billion respectively, and free cash flow rose to $6.8 billion. The Q2 net result came in at $8.6 billion and $15.4 billion for the first half of the year. Return on invested capital (ROIC) was at 62.5% for the past 12 months.

Søren Skou adds: “The result was driven by strong contract rates in Ocean, rapid profitable growth in Logistics and continued solid performance in Terminals. Volumes in Ocean were softer as congestion continued and the war in Ukraine weighed on consumer confidence, particularly in Europe.

"However, in Logistics we grew volumes above the market as our Ocean customers continue to buy into our value proposition, resulting in organic revenue growth of 36pct., notching up the 6^th quarter in a row of more than 30pct. organic growth.”

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In Ocean, revenue grew to $17.4 billion and EBIT increased to $8.5 billion over the second quarter. The higher freight rates were partly offset by 7.4% lower volumes and by higher fuel, handling, and network costs.

Although spot rates have softened from their peak earlier in the year, the company continued to sign contracts at rates above previous year levels given strong demand and continuing global supply chain congestion.

During Q2, Maersk maintained its strong momentum in bringing integrated logistics solutions to customers. For the quarter, revenue in Logistics grew 61% to $3.5 billion and EBIT increased to $234 million mainly due to higher volumes from new customer wins and increased spending from existing customers.

Maersk continued to invest in its logistics portfolio and capabilities; in Q2 the acquisitions of logistics specialist, Pilot Freight Services and the global air freight expert, Senator International were completed, and Maersk further strengthened its air freight offering by launching Maersk Air Cargo.

In Terminals, revenue grew to $1.1 billion and EBIT increased to $316 million, mainly driven by strong import demand in the United States and above market growth in Asia as well as higher storage income, which was however partly offset by higher costs.

Market situation

Global demand for logistics services continued to moderate across global supply chains in Q2 2022. Freight rates softened marginally over the quarter but remained at a high level historically as supply chain congestion increased across the globe.

Global container volume declined by 2.3% compared to Q2 2021 while global air cargo volumes (CTK) were 9.4% lower in April/May.

Geopolitical uncertainty and higher inflation via higher energy prices continued to weigh on consumer sentiment and growth expectations. Given this background, in 2022 global container demand is now expected to be at the lower end of the -1% to +1% forecasted range.

Guidance for 2022

As announced in a trading update August 2, for the full year 2022 Maersk anticipates an underlying EBITDA of around $37 billion, an underlying EBIT of around 31bn and a free cash flow above $24 billion.

This is based on the strong performance in first half of 2022, and a gradual normalisation of Ocean freight rates taking place in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Based on the improved guidance, the Board of Directors has decided to increase the current share buyback programme by $500 million annually from $2.5 billion to $3.0 billion for the years 2022-2025.

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