Maersk announced on June 29, 2026, that it has raised its full-year EBITDA guidance for 2026 to a range of $8 billion to $10 billion, up from a previous forecast of $4.5 billion to $7 billion [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

The company also revised its 2026 EBIT forecast to $2 billion to $4 billion, reversing an earlier outlook that ranged from a negative $1.5 billion to a positive $1 billion [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

Maersk attributes the earnings upgrade primarily to a surge in container market demand, driven by US importers accelerating shipments from China ahead of US tariff increases scheduled for late July 2026. The firm stated, "受美國即將實施新一輪關稅影響，美國進口商加速向中國提前拉貨，帶動遠東航線需求與運價攀升，公司預估全年獲利將至少比先前預期高出10億美元," highlighting how this trade shift has boosted Far East routes and freight rates [2].

The company now expects global container volume growth for 2026 to be around 4%, revised upward from prior estimates ranging between 2% and 4% [2, 5, 6].

Geopolitical tensions have also affected Maersk's operations. Military actions around the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemen's Houthi movement forced vessels to detour around the Cape of Good Hope. These disruptions constrain shipping capacity and support higher freight and charter rates, which have reached post-pandemic highs [2, 5, 6].

Maersk further expects a free cash flow improvement in 2026, narrowing to at least a negative $1.5 billion, better than previous forecasts [3, 4, 5].

Before the June revision, Maersk's EBITDA forecast for 2026 stood at $4.5 billion to $7 billion, while EBIT was expected between negative $1.5 billion and $1 billion [1, 2, 5].

The surge in container spot rates and time charter rates reflects both constrained shipping capacity and increased demand due to trade pattern shifts caused by tariff policies [2, 6].

US tariffs on multiple countries including China are set to take effect in late July, making the recent surge in container shipments a result of importers pulling orders forward to avoid higher duties [2, 5, 6].

Maersk’s next financial update is expected around its third-quarter earnings release later in 2026.