• The nine-month result was significantly higher than the prior-year period

• Much higher freight rates thanks to persistent excess demand

• Higher transport volume despite operational challenges

Hapag-Lloyd has concluded the first nine months of 2021 with an EBITDA of USD 8.2 billion (EUR 6.8 billion). The EBIT was also much higher than in the prior-year period, at USD 6.9 billion (EUR 5.8 billion). At the same time, the Group’s profit improved to USD 6.7 billion (EUR 5.6 billion).

Revenues rose in the first nine months of 2021 by approximately 70 percent, to USD 17.9 billion (EUR 15.0 billion). The rise can primarily be attributed to a higher average freight rate of 1,818 USD/TEU (9M 2020: 1,097 USD/TEU). This significant increase is mainly the result of persistently high demand for container transports with scarce capacities at the same time. In addition, transport volumes were up to 8,980 TEU and thereby 3 percent higher than the comparable figure for the previous year.

Transport expenses climbed 16 percent in the nine-month period, to USD 8.9 billion (EUR 7.4 billion). This was due in part to higher costs for container handling and an increased average bunker consumption price, which stood at USD 452 per tonne in the first nine months (9M 2020: 402 USD per tonne).

“Despite all the operational challenges, we achieved an extraordinary strong nine-month result. However, global supply chains are under enormous pressure, which further intensified during the peak season in the third quarter. This unfortunately also creates additional operational burdens for carriers, ports, and terminals – but, most importantly, for customers worldwide. We will do everything in our power to help with suitable offers and to do our part to resolve the situation through targeted investments and flexible capacity management,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd.

Looking ahead, Hapag-Lloyd expects that earnings momentum will also remain at a high level for the rest of the year. The earnings forecast for the entire year was accordingly adjusted upwards on 29 October: For the 2021 financial year, and EBITDA in the range of EUR 10.1 to 10.9 billion (previously: EUR 7.6 to 9.3 billion) and an EBIT in the range of EUR 8.7 to 9.5 billion (previously: EUR 6.2 to 7.9 billion) is now expected.