News / Transpacific the top earner as a strong Q2 boosts OOCL revenue

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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. 

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. 

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 per teu increased 10.1%, compared with the second quarter of 2025. 

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 per teu was broadly flat, rising just 0.2%. 

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”.