Despite rising bunker prices and a trailing recovery of transport tariffs, shipping company Hapag-Lloyd managed to close the first half of this fiscal year with a positive result. Turnover increased to 5.4 billion euro (H1 2017: 4.5 billion euro).
The shipped volume increased by 39 per cent to 5,848 TTEU (H1 2017: 4,221 TTEU). The average transport tariff amounts to 1,020 dollar/TEU over the first six months of the year. That’s about 40 dollar less than the average tariff in the same period in 2017. Bunker tariffs were considerably higher at 385 dollar per tonne (H1 2017: 312 dollar/tonne).
The ETBIDA rose by 61.4 million euro compared to the previous year, and amounts to 425.2 million euro in the first half of 2018. The EBIT is at 88.7 million euro, and is therefore comparable to the 90.7 million euro reported over the first half year of 2017.
“The first half year of 2018 is defined by a clear increase of fuel costs, higher charter tariffs and a slower recovery of transport tariffs than expected,” Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, sums up the situation. “In response to this, we have taken measures to cover these costs.” He feels positive about the remainder of the year. “We’re seeing a slow but gradual recovery of the market, but we recognise that many geopolitical uncertainties could still have their influence on the market. This emphasises the necessity to be able to quickly respond when necessary, that’s why we’re working even harder on digitisation and finishing our new strategy.”