On March 19, 2026, a Maersk cargo ship laden with containers departed the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal in Hong Kong, China. Maritime shipping continues to sustain global supply chains, with the port remaining a crucial hub for regional and international trade. Global trade flows remain under strain due to disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Danish shipping giant Maersk raised its 2026 earnings forecast for the second time this year on Thursday. Following the announcement, Maersk shares surged 7% shortly after the market opened. The company is widely regarded as a bellwether for global trade. Maersk reported preliminary earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the April-June period of $3 billion, significantly exceeding the consensus analyst estimate of $2.04 billion compiled by LSEG.

"This is a remarkably strong performance in a highly volatile environment," said Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc on Thursday's "European Finance Morning" program. He also cited disruptions from the war in the Middle East and U.S. tariff policies. "The most defining characteristic of the shipping market is the incredible resilience of demand. Economic strength is supporting cargo volumes, which have not seen any decline." Clerc stated. He added that current global bottlenecks are no longer occurring at sea but are instead concentrated in onshore supporting infrastructure, creating logistical congestion and further driving up freight rates.

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd also reported its results, with higher cargo volumes and spot freight rates pushing its shares up 0.7%. Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen stated that despite an additional $600 million in costs from the Middle East conflict, primarily for fuel and energy, the company's second-quarter performance was significantly better than the first quarter. "Market activity has far exceeded expectations. The supply-demand balance is much more balanced than the market had previously estimated."