Hapag-Lloyd reports strong Q1 growth amid market uncertainty, warns of softer full-year outlook

Hapag-Lloyd announced increased revenue and earnings in the first quarter, per the preliminary and unaudited report.

In particular, the German ocean carrier reported a 17% growth in Group EBITDA, reaching US$1.1 billion, a 24% increase in Group EBIT to US$500 million, while the company’s revenue climbed from US$4.6 billion in 2024 Q1 to US$5.3 billion in the first three months of 2025.

The main drivers of this positive development, according to Hapag-Lloyd’s analysts, were a transport volume of 3.3 million TEUs and an average freight rate of US$1,480/TEU, both of which were 9% higher than in the same quarter of 2024 due to strong demand.

“We got 2025 off to a good start in the first quarter, but the market environment is currently characterized by many uncertainties,” commented Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd.

The German carrier’s boss continued: “We therefore continue to expect lower results for 2025 as a whole. We will rigorously implement our Strategy 2030, set a new standard of quality in the market for our customers with our Gemini Cooperation, and further expand Hanseatic Global Terminals.”

“At the same time, we will make our fleet even more efficient and continue to decarbonize it. In addition, we will keep a close eye on our costs and work intensively on becoming even more digital and efficient,” added Jansen.

For the 2025 financial year, the Executive Board of the Hamburg-based shipping company continues to expect the Group EBITDA to be in the range of US$2.5 to 4 billion and the Group EBIT to be in the range of US$0 to 1.5 billion.

Hapag-Lloyd noted the forecast “remains subject to considerable uncertainty due to the volatile development of freight rates and major geopolitical challenges.”

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