MAJOR container carriers posted strong quarterly results despite market volatility and geo political uncertainty, reports London’s Port Technology International.
According to Sea Intelligence’s latest report, nearly all carriers reporting financials saw double-digit year-on-year revenue growth, with a combined EBIT of US$5.89 billion.
Excluding CMA CGM and Ocean Network Express (ONE), a consistent set of carriers posted a Q1 2025 EBIT of US$5.67 billion.
While below pandemic highs, this figure nearly matches Q1 2023 and exceeds all other years from 2012 to 2020 and 2024.
ONE recorded the lowest at $73/TEU, while others ranged from $146/TEU (Hapag-Lloyd).
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) also exceeded $400/TEU with $447/TEU.
Global volumes rose notably, with certain carriers seeing exceptional growth on the Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades.
Recently, Sea Intelligence’s latest Global Liner Performance report (Issue 165) showed global schedule reliability rose 1.7 percentage points in April to 58.7 percent the highest level since November 2023.
Among the top 13 carriers, Maersk led with 73.4 percent reliability, followed by Hapag- Lloyd at 72.3 percent and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) at 60.7 percent.
Air freight demand to pick up from mid-June: Dimerco
OVERALL air cargo capacity has decreased at the end of April and early May compared to the same period last year due to freighter cancellations, says Taiwan’s Dimerico, reports Mumbai’s Stat Trade Times.
“As a result, air freight rates between China and the US are expected to gradually rise,” according to the latest logistics update from Dimerco.
Intra-Asia traffic remains strong, particularly from China to Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan.
“Notably, Chinese carriers such as China Southern (CZ), Air China (CA) and China Eastern (MU) have introduced an air-air solution offering freighter services from Hanoi (HAN) to China and then connecting onward to the US This service is expected to ease pressure on Vietnam US outbound capacity during the upcoming peak season.”
Said Dimerco sales and marketing vice president Kathy Liu: * “Since May 12, we have observed an increase in orders from US customers.
However, most shipments are currently being booked via ocean freight.
We anticipate that air freight demand will begin to pick up from mid-June.”
Artificial intelligence and high-tech industries continue to drive exports as the US may increase shipping demand via Taiwan, leading to an increase in rates from week 21, the update said. “
COSCO Shipping launches new service to South America
COSCO Shipping has announced that the 62,000-dwt multipurpose pulp carrier COSCO SHIPPING Changqing has embarked from Nansha Port in Guangzhou, loaded with 660 new energy vehicles and containerised cargo.
reports London’s Port Technology International.
This marked the inaugural voyage of COSCO SHIPPING Specialised Carriers’ weekly BRICS Express service to the east coast of South America.
The service retains the hallmark features of its predecessors to south-eastern Africa, rapid turn around and punctuality, while emphasising “efficiency, stability, and environmental sustainability” as its core principles.
By capitalising on the scale advantages of multipurpose pulp carriers, the service aims to address the urgent shipping demands of customers along South America’s eastern coast, establishing a maritime express route that fosters bilateral trade between China and this region.
To ensure robust capacity for the service’s weekly run along South America’s east coast, COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carrier has allocated over 40 large multipurpose pulp carriers.
Chinese and Brazilian ports, aiming to deliver to key ports on the South American east coast within a 30-day timeframe.
The service aims to invigorate economic and commercial ties between China and nations bordering South America’s eastern coast.
Liner schedule reliability reaches 17-month high
SCHEDULE reliability across global liner trades climbed to 58.7 percent in April 2025, the highest since November 2023, according to Copenhagen’s Sea-Intelligence.
Issue 165 of the Global Liner Performance report analyses data from 34 trade lanes and over 60 carriers, noting a 1.7 percentage point monthly gain.
Year-on-year, global schedule reliability improved by 6.5 percentage points.
Maersk led top carriers with 73.4 percent reliability, followed by Hapag-Lloyd at 72.3 percent and MSC at 60.7 percent.
A new methodology includes “all arrivals” (both origin and destination calls) and “trade arrivals” (destination only) due to incomplete alliance data in early 2025.
Gemini Cooperation posted 90.7 percent (all arrivals) and 87.0 percent (trade arrivals); MSC followed with 69.8 percent and 77.3 percent respectively.
The Premier Alliance recorded 53.0 percent (all) and 51.3 percent (trade), while outgoing groups Ocean Alliance, THE Alliance, and 2M posted 51.1 percent, 49.8 percent, and 33.5 percent respectively.
Full rollout of the new alliances is expected by July, enabling more complete performance assessments.
CMA CGM levies 110pc W African peak season surcharge
FRENCH shipping giant, CMA CGM has increased its Peak Season Surcharge 100 percent on dry cargo from Asia to West Africa effective, reports the Lagos Guardian.
The Marseilles-based liner had first announced a US$400/TEU peak season surcharge on cargo from North East Asia, South East Asia, China, Hong Kong and Macau destined for West African ports.
However, the company recently announced an increase of $800 per TEU for importers and exporters of direct cargo shipments between the Asian countries and West African countries.
According to the company, this surcharge will remain in place until further notice, adding that the basic freight rates, as well as additional charges such as bunker-related surcharges, terminal handlining charges (THC), and safety/security fees, may also apply.
Cyrus Cowasjee Passes Away
A Legacy Anchored in Service, Integrity, and Leadership.
Cyrus Cowasjee, senior partner of the Cowasjee Group and a pioneering figure in Pakistan’s shipping industry, passed away 26 April, 2025.
He was 96. Born in Karachi on 31 August 1928, Cyrus joined the family business in 1946 and became the youngest member of the Firm.
The Cowasjee family has been closely tied to the maritime and commercial fabric of Karachi since 1886.
Their contributions to Pakistan’s shipping sector were foundational, with Cyrus’s father, Rustom Cowasjee, and other family members being the first shipowners of Pakistan after independence.
Over the decades, Cyrus Cowasjee played a pivotal role in shaping Pakistan’s shipping landscape.
He was the founder Chairman of the Pakistan Ship’s Agents Association (PSAA), an institution that continues to advocate for the interests of shipping agents and maritime stakeholders across the country.
He headed various establishments connected with Shipping including being President of Karachi Stevedores Conference, during his illustrious life.
As a tireless advocate for shipping and trade industries, he will be remembered for his dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to professional excellence.
The Cowasjee Group ceased its commercial operations in 2013, marking the end of an era.
How- ever, Cyrus’s legacy extended far beyond business.
Alongside his family, he was involved in philanthropic work-supporting healthcare, education, and community initiatives across Karachi and beyond.
Personally, he gave silently to any individual in need as well as to hospitals, places of learning, encouraging the youth of this country which he loved dearly.
He was proud of being a Pakistani.
Cyrus is survived by his wife Toxy, Cyra his daughter and Nader his son.
He had four grandchildren, Sohrab, Nina, Cyrus and Myra.
Maersk's green methanol fleet is now complete
MAERSK has taken delivery of the 16,200-TEU Axel Maersk, completing the world’s first series of large dual-fuel methanol containerships vessels, reports Rotterdam’s Offshore Energy.
The naming and delivery ceremony for the ship was held at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) shipyard in South Korea.
The newbuilding is named after Axel PoulPeder Maersk Uggla, a grandson of Ane Maersk Mc Kinney Uggla, the chairman of the AP Moller Foundation.
“With the delivery of Axel Maersk, we complete the world’s first series of large dual-fuel methanol container vessels.
This iconic fleet is a signal of what’s possible when ambition meets action, All the Way to Zero,” Maersk said.
“From Laura Maersk to Axel Maersk, each dual-fuel vessel marks a bold step toward a net zero future.”
Featuring a length of 336.78 metres, a beam of 53.5 metres and a draught of 18 metres, the green box ship flies the flag of Denmark.
Classed by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), the 189,508 dwt Axel Maersk now sails on its maiden voyage along the East? West Network connecting customers in Asia and Europe, the Danish company said.
Back in September 2023, Maersk’s first containership powered by green methanol was named by the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Copenhagen.
The 2,100-TEU ship is a symbol of a new era for the company, which has been a first mover for the shipping industry in the context of decarbonisation.
In January 2024, the company named the world’s first large methanol-enabled container vessel, the 16,000-TEU Ane Maersk at HD HHI Ulsan yard.
Ane Maersk is the first of Maersk’s 18 large methanol-enabled vessels delivered between 2024 and 2025.