AD Ports Group (AD Ports) has increased total container throughput by 23 percent Year- -Year (YoY) in 2025 to 7.7 million TEUS.
Container feeder shipping volumes rose 38 percent to 3.35 million TEUS.
At CMA Terminals Khalifa port, which began commercial operations at the start of 2025, more than 13 million TEUS were handled during the year, implying utilisation of 74 percent in its first year of operations.
For the full year ending 31 December 2025, the Group reported record revenue of AED 20.8 billion ($5.66 billion), up 20 percent YoY, and net profit of AED 2.1 billion ($571.8 million), up 17 percent YoY.
EBITDA increased 12 percent year on year to AED 5.1 billion ($1.4 billion), representing an EBITDA margin of 24.4 percent.
Cash Flows from Operations rose 28 percent to AED 5.05 billion ($1.37 billion).
Despite annual organic capital expenditure of AED 5.5 billion ($1.5 billion), the Group generated positive Free Cash Flow to the Firm (FCFF) for the first time since its 2022 listing.
Net debt stood at AED 20.6 billion ($5.6 billion) at year end, compared to AED 18.6 billion ($5.1 billion) in 2024, with net leverage stable at 4.1x.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, net profit reached AED 584 million ($159 million), an increase of 18 percent YoY.
Last week, AD Ports signed a 30-year concession agreement with Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) to manage and operate the Aqaba Multipurpose Port.
Maersk adds Antwerp to AE1 Asia-Europe loop
A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk) is strengthening its Asia-Europe network by adding Antwerp to the rotation of its AE1 service, a key loop within the carrier’s East-West network and the Gemini Cooperation.
The move reinforces Antwerp’s position as a strategic Northern European gateway while expanding routing options for shippers across the trade.
Under the revised rotation, AEI will call Shanghai, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, London Gateway, Tangier TC1, Tangier TC3 and Singapore.
By integrating Antwerp into this established corridor, Maersk is deepening connectivity between major Asian export hubs and core European consumer and industrial markets.
The first westbound sailing under the updated rotation will be operated by Hamburg Express, voyage 610W, departing Shanghai on 6 March 2026.
The vessel is scheduled to arrive in Hamburg on 17 April before calling Antwerp on 21 April 2026.
The addition of Antwerp is expected to deliver greater optionality and flexibility for customers shipping to and from Northern Europe.
With the inaugural call scheduled for 21 April 2026, the enhanced AE1 rotation marks a further step in optimising network coverage across the Asia-Europe trade lane.
Recently, Maersk signed an order of eight large vessels with New Times Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in China.
Evergreen orders 23 box ships worth US$1.47 billion
Evergreen Marine Corp has placed orders for 23 containerships at two Chinese shipyards in a programme valued at up to US$1.47 billion, reported London’s Lloyd’s List.
The move underscores the Taiwanese carrier’s push to expand its fleet amid strong demand for smaller vessel segments.
The Taipei-listed company said its board approved contracts for 16 feeders of 3,100 TEU and seven mid-size ships of 5,900 TEU.
The 3,100 TEU vessels will be built at CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, priced between $46 million and $56 million each, for a total of $736 million to US$896 million.
The seven 5,900 TEU ships were ordered at Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding, with unit prices ranging from US$67 million to US$82 million, bringing the contract value to US$469 million to US$574 million.
The orders continue a wave of fleet renewal in smaller box ship segments, where order-to-fleet ratios remain lower than for larger vessels.
MB Shipbrokers said demand is robust across feeder and mid-size categories.
Evergreen ranks seventh among global container carriers with capacity near two million TEU, trailing Ocean Network Express by about 120,000 TEU, according to Linerlytica.
With the new contracts, Evergreen’s orderbook will rise to nearly 930,000 TEU, compared with ONE’s backlog of about 780,000 TEU, positioning the Taiwanese line for gains in global rankings as deliveries proceed.
The company did not disclose delivery schedules, saying payment and handover terms will follow contract provisions.
CMA CGM revamps Transatlantic services from Europe to US
CMA CGM will strengthen its Transatlantic network from North Europe to North America, enhancing coverage and frequency across key US East Coast ports starting April 2026.
The revamp leverages CMA CGM’s extensive terminal footprint in Europe and North America to ensure reliable cargo delivery.
The Unity Bridge service, covering the South Atlantic, will operate its last sailing on m/v ONE TRITON voy. ONP41 WIMA, departing Le Havre on 16 March.
The Liberty Bridge service will see its final departure to Baltimore on m/v EVER FAITH voy. OLBLXWIMA, starting rotation in Southampton on 27 March.
From April 2026, CMA CGM will launch the new Liberty Bridge service, dedicated to the US North and South Atlantic Coast, with its first sailing on m/v OOCL CHONGQING voy: OLBLZWIMA departing Southampton on 27 March.
This service will rotate through Southampton, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Le Havre, New York, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, and back to Southampton.
The Panama Direct service will continue as an exclusive CMA CGM route, while the Transatlantic WB route will call at Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Dunkerque, Le Havre, New York, and Savannah, and the Transatlantic EB route will sail from Savannah and Philadelphia to Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Dunkerque, and Le Havre.
The Victory Bridge service will serve Mexico and the US Gulf, rotating through Southampton, Rotterdam, Antwerp Bremerhaven, Veracruz, Altamira, Houston, New Orleans, and Southampton.
The California Bridge will serve the US West Coast, with a rotation including Southampton, Le Havre, Hamburg, Antwerp, Miami, Cartagena, Rodman, Los Angeles, Oakland, Rodman, Caucedo, and Southampton.
The Saint Laurent service, dedicated to Canada’s East Coast, will rotate through Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, Montreal, Halifax, and back to Antwerp.
Recently, CMA CGM FIORDLAND, a 5,900 TEU containership, became the first large vessel to call at Puerto Antioquia, a new multipurpose deep-water terminal on Colombia’s Caribbean coast designed for reefer exports.
ONE updates its SX2 and RPX services
Ocean Network Express (ONE) has updated its East Coast South America Express 2 (SX2) Service and River Plate Express (RPX) Service Proforma.
SX2 Service Update as follow: Port Rotation: Pusan-Shanghai-Shekou-Singapore-Rio de Janeiro Santos Itapoa Singapore-Cai Mep-Haiphong Effective Date: Commencing April 2026 (departing from Asia).
The commencement vessel will be announced soon.
RPX Service Profoma Update involves the connection to Argentina:
Key Change: The RPX Service connection to Argentina will be relocated from Rio Grande (current) to Rio de Janeiro Port New Port Rotation: Rio de Janeiro – Zarate – Buenos Aires – La Plata – Rio de Janeiro
Effective Date: Commencing May 2026.
The, commencement vessel will be announced soon.
Recently, ONE added Durres, Albania, to its network, providing direct access to the Albanian market via Piraeus.
Asia-Latin America rate hiked in capacity surge
CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd have announced plans to raise freight rates on Asia-Latin America trades by US$1,000 per FEU from March 1, despite spot prices having fallen more than 80 percent in the past seven months, reports London’s S&P Global.
Shanghai to Santos rates dropped from US$6,374 per TEU in July 2025 to $1,131, according to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange.
Analysts say the decline reflects heavy capacity injections, with carriers adding about 700,000 TEU over the past year.
Capacity from Asia to the East Coast of South America is set to reach 303,517 TEU in March, up nearly nine percent from February and the highest in more than three years, data from eeSea showed.
The latest increase follows similar $1,000 hikes announced late last year.
CMA CGM said the new rates will apply to out-of- gauge and paying empties, while Hapag-Lloyd confirmed coverage for 20-foot, 40-foot and non-operated reefers.
Brazilian forwarders expressed scepticism, noting strong demand but persistent overcapacity.
A Sao Paolo-based freight executive said shipping lines were struggling to fill vessels and warned more capacity was expected after Chinese New Year.
Hapag-Lloyd’s latest notice set East Coast of South America base rates at $1,000 per TEU and $1,200 per FEU, while West Coast rates fell to $750.
Platts pegged North Asia to West Coast South America rates at $1,200 per FEU from February 2, down 60 percent year on year.