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Hapag-Lloyd raises lower end of outlook on strong shipping demand but earnings falls

German container company Hapag-Lloyd on Wednesday raised the lower end of its 2024 outlook amidst rising need and freight rates, but published an 84% drop in first-quarter internet revenue.

Commercial shipping has actually dealt with worldwide disturbances, including in the Red Sea region, where operators are avoiding the Suez Canal due to the fact that of

attacks

on vessels by Yemen-based Houthi militants.

The crisis has actually raised freight rates due to the fact that option journeys around Africa's southern idea are longer and expensive.

Global container volumes were up rather substantially specifically in January and February, mostly on the transpacific routes, and there has been a steep increase in spot freight rates and strong demand, CEO Rolf Habben Jansen told analysts.

Net earnings fell to 299 million euros ($ 324 million) from 1.893 billion a year earlier and revenues before interest and taxes (EBIT) were down 79% at 365 million euros as the business's. performance might not match the resilient post-pandemic conditions. of a year earlier.

But full-year EBIT at the world's fifth-largest container. carrier by volume, is now anticipated between absolutely no and 1 billion. euros, up from a mid-March projection of minus 1 billion to 1. billion.

Costs are being handed down to clients not simply at. Hapag-Lloyd but also bigger rival Maersk.

Hapag-Lloyd, in anticipation of numerous vessels joining the. world fleet, has introduced procedures to contain costs.

Per-unit expenditures in the very first quarter reduced by 5%. to $1,256 per 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) compared to the. previous year period.

Transport volumes increased by 6.8% to 3 million TEU. Containers can be packed with anything from cooled fruit. and shellfish to Televisions and automobiles.

There is an aspect of restocking, Habben Jansen stated,. talking about need spikes in recent weeks that have pushed up. share prices in the sector.

However he was not specific whether the pattern might last much. beyond the first half.

Hapag-Lloyd shares in a small complimentary float were down 0.3% at. 1340 GMT, having actually acquired 11% over the last month.

(source: Reuters)