News / Despite 'early gains', container lines are in for another year of losses, says Drewry

© Vladimir Serebryanskiy

Despite Maersk Line’s better-than-expected $37m first-quarter net profit, Drewry today reiterated its view that ocean carriers would collectively record a significant loss this year.

“Carrier profit margins this year will be influenced by big swings on both prices and costs, but as things stand carriers will lose between $6bn-$10bn this year,” it said in analysis published this morning.

It described the Q1 results that have so far been published as “patchy”, in as much as Maersk and US Jones Act carrier Matson made operating ...