News / Zim hopes for 'positive change' after Q1 plunge in earnings

First-quarter earnings for Israeli liner Zim plummeted more than 129% year on year, and it recorded a net loss of $86m, as efforts to get its merger deal with Hapag-Lloyd over the line continue, despite an alternative late-in-the-day offer.

After net income of $296m just 12 months ago, turbulence in the Israeli carrier’s sphere of operations was always likely to prompt a decline in performance, shown by the 8% year-on-year dip in volumes, to 866,000 teu, and 30% drop in revenue, to $1.4bn.

Outgoing chief executive, and one-time would-be buyer, Eli Glickman said: “The conflict in the Persian Gulf sparked a sharp increase and significant volatility in bunkering costs.

“While the impact on Q1 results was minimal, we expect a more meaningful effect in the second quarter, before our actions to offset these costs, including increased freight rates and bunker-specific surcharges, begin to take hold.

“Zim is likely to see incremental benefits from our early adoption of LNG technology and long-term agreements with Shell securing LNG supply.”

Its latest results followed news that entrepreneur Haim Sakal, backed by Israeli investors, had tabled an all-cash offer for the carrier of $4.5bn, $300m higher than the bid from Hapag-Lloyd.

Reports indicate that not only has Mr Sakal confirmed that both Zim’s fleet and operational headquarters would remain in Israel, his offer includes an employee bonus package believed to be in the region of $250m.

However, Loadstar’s Premium’s Ale Pasetti pushed back on chances that Mr Sakal’s offer could unseat that of Hapag-Lloyd, noting that the German carrier had secured 97% of shareholder votes and was binding.

But he cautioned: “Neither [offer] has a chance to go through, judging by the current share price at nearly 30% discount to Hapag’s cash offer”.

Perhaps seeking to assuage the prospective buyer, Mr Glickman noted that on its main trades, Zim had “recently observed a positive change” that had resulted in both the rates and demand situation improving, with expectations that second half financials could be much improved.

He added: “In parallel, we completed annual contract negotiations, which went into effect on 1 May, maintaining similar contracted volumes to last year with approximately 65% of our transpacific volume exposed to spot rates.”