OOCL reported $2.5bn in liner revenue for Q2 2026 — a 19.8% year-on-year increase — driven by an 21.5% jump in transpacific liftings and a 29.3% revenue surge on that lane. Total Q2 liftings reached 2.14m teu, up 8.8%, while load factor improved 1.9%. For H1 2026, OOCL carried 4.13m teu (+5.2%), with revenue up 5.5%. Industry peers followed suit: Hapag-Lloyd raised its EBITDA guidance to $2.7bn–$3.7bn, and Maersk lifted its forecast to $8bn–$10bn. All carriers cited strengthening demand and rising spot freight rates as key drivers.
OOCL’s second-quarter trading update has reinforced signs of a stronger-than-expected container shipping market, the carrier reporting double-digit gains in both revenue and volumes, as demand and freight rates continued to recover.
Q2 financial and operational highlights
For the three months to 30 June, OOCL recorded liner revenue of $2.5bn, up 19.8% year on year, with liftings up 8.8%, to 2.14m teu; loadable capacity grew 6.3%, and the carrier’s load factor improved by 1.9%.
The results outpaced broader Q2 market growth. According to Container Trades Statistics (CTS), global container volumes were up around 5% this year, to May, compared with OOCL’s 5.2% increase in liftings for the first half.
Transpacific trade drives record performance
The standout performer for the carrier was the transpacific trade, where Q2 volumes jumped 21.5% year on year, driving a 29.3% increase in revenue.
But Asia-Europe also delivered a strong financial performance, with liftings up a more modest 6.9%, revenue climbed 17.6%, indicating significantly stronger freight rates.
Overall, OOCL’s average revenue increased 10.1%, compared with the second quarter of 2025.
First-half results and capacity trends
For the first six months, OOCL vessels carried 4.13m teu, up 5.2% year on year, bringing an increase in revenue of 5.5%. Capacity expanded 5.3% over the period, although the overall load factor edged down 0.1% and average revenue was broadly flat, rising just 0.2%.
Industry-wide earnings guidance revisions
The strong quarterly performance came as carriers continued to revise earnings expectations upwards following a sustained improvement in demand and spot freight rates.
Yesterday, Hapag-Lloyd raised its full-year guidance, prompted by “recently strong market demand and the positive development in spot freight rates”.
The German carrier now expects group EBITDA of $2.7bn–$3.7bn for the year, up from the previous guidance of $1.1bn–$3.1bn. Group EBIT is now forecast at $0.1bn–$1.1bn, compared with an earlier range from a $1.5bn loss to a $0.5bn profit.
Gemini Cooperation partner Maersk two weeks ago increased its full-year EBITDA guidance to $8bn–$10bn, from $4.5bn–$7bn.
However, Hapag-Lloyd cautioned that its outlook remained subject to “a high degree of uncertainty”, given volatile freight rates and the “ongoing geopolitical challenges”.
Source: The Loadstar
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
