Strong container market outlook leads Maersk to upgrade guidance for full year 2026 results

Continued strong demand in the container market, particularly in the Far East, and a recent sustained increase in spot market rates means that A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S (Maersk) has upgraded its guidance for full year 2026.

For the full year, Maersk now expects:

-  Underlying EBITDA of USD 8-10bn (previously USD 4.5-7.0bn)

-  Underlying EBIT of USD 2-4bn (previously USD -1.5-1.0bn)

-  Free cash flow of at least USD -1.5bn (previously at least USD -3bn)

The revised guidance is based on a volume growth outlook for the global container market of about 4% (previously 2-4%) for full-year 2026.

Separately, Maersk has introduced a new weekly ocean service connecting the Adriatic with key ports in the East Mediterranean, aimed at improving transit times and strengthening supply chain reliability across a growing corridor.

The Adriatic Service links Koper, Venice, Rijeka, and Ancona with Damietta and Port Said, providing a direct connection between the Adriatic region and Egypt, alongside onward access to a wider Mediterranean network. Developed in partnership with ONE, the service features a streamlined port rotation designed to reduce transit times and improve schedule reliability.

The launch of the Adriatic Service reflects broader market developments across the Mediterranean, with Egypt acting a s a key hub linking Europe with markets across the Middle East. Trade between the European Union and Egypt reached approximately €32.3 billion in 2025, highlighting the scale and importance of this corridor and the continued demand for efficient transport links between the regions.