
The average loaded freight rate increased by 54% to 3,236
USD/FFE (2,095 USD/FFE), driven by an increase in Asia and
India-Middle East-Africa exports. The average freight rate
increased by 29% compared to Q2 2024 of 2,499 USD/FFE.
Total operating costs were 6.7% higher at USD 7.2bn (USD
6.7bn), driven by higher bunker costs and container handling
costs, which increased by 22% and 5.9%, respectively, due to the
re-routing south of Cape of Good Hope. The higher costs were
partially offset by lower port and canal costs associated with
fewer Suez Canal crossings and lower SG&A costs, highlighting
a more efficient organisation.
Bunker costs increased by 22% to USD 1.8bn (USD 1.5bn). Exclud-
ing the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) effect of USD 55m,
bunker costs increased by 18% affected by the increased bunker
consumption of 14% due to vessel re-routings south of Cape of
Good Hope and the 3.7% increase in the average bunker price to
615 USD/tonne (593 USD/tonne). Bunker efficiency decreased
marginally by 0.3% to 36.3 g/TEU*NM (36.2 g/TEU*NM).
Unit cost at fixed bunker increased by 3.9% to 2,376 USD/FFE
(2,287 USD/FFE), driven by the higher cost associated with the Red
Sea/Gulf of Aden situation, slightly offset by the higher volumes.
The average operated capacity of 4,362k TEU (4,166k TEU)
increased by 4.7%. The current order book for dual-fuel vessels
totalled 27 at the end of Q3 2024. The fleet consisted of 305
owned and 411 chartered vessels, of which 137k TEU or 3.1% of
the fleet were idle (21 vessels).
Key initiatives in Q3
With around four months remaining until the launch of the
‘Gemini cooperation’ in February 2025, A.P. Moller - Maersk and
Hapag-Lloyd AG are accelerating the efforts in finalising the
details of the Network of the Future. After careful considera-
tion, prioritising both crew safety and cargo security, the two
com panies have decided to initiate their cooperation by sailing
south of Cape of Good Hope. As the situation remains highly
dynamic, Hapag-Lloyd and A.P. Moller - Maersk will return to
the Red Sea when it is safe to do so.
The Gemini cooperation has the ambition to generate industry-
leading schedule reliability above 90% once fully phased in, while
providing extensive geographical coverage and competitive
transit times, protected from disruptions and demand changes.
The cooperation will comprise around 340 vessels with a total
capacity of 3.7m TEU, including 29 mainliner services supported
by 28 intraregional shuttle services.
Ocean is focused on decarbonising operations and continues its
fleet renewal programme initiated in 2021 by placing orders and
charter contracts of dual-fuel vessels equivalent to 800k TEU in
total until 2030. The new vessels will serve as replacements
rather than adding capacity.
Financial review 9M 2024
Revenue increased by 3.8% to USD 27.5bn (USD 26.5bn), driven
by an increase in freight revenue due to average freight rates
increasing by 11% combined with 4.6% higher volumes. EBITDA
decreased to USD 6.4bn (USD 6.7bn) with an EBITDA margin of
23.2% (25.5%). EBIT of USD 3.1bn (USD 3.1bn) decreased margin-
ally with an EBIT margin of 11.4% (11.9%).
The total operating costs increased by 7.2% to USD 21.1bn (USD
19.7bn), driven by an increase in bunker costs of 23%, associated
with the higher bunker consumption attributable to vessels re-
routing south of Cape of Good Hope and a 6.2% increase in con-
tainer handling costs. The increased cost was partially counter-
balanced by a 2.5% decrease in network costs excluding bunker,
mainly due to lower port and canal expenses linked to fewer
Suez Canal crossings, as well as a 14% decrease in SG&A costs,
reflecting increased productivity.
Logistics & Services
The Logistics & Services segment grew revenue by 11% year-
over-year. Growth was driven by increased volumes across most
products.
In Managed by Maersk, Lead Logistics continued to drive prof-
itable growth combined with enhanced operational efficiency.
In Fulfilled by Maersk, revenue saw solid year-over-year growth
across all regions, with Warehousing contributing with the
majority of the overall increase. Transported by Maersk bene-
fitted from solid growth across all products, with Asia Pacific
contributing with the majority of the increase.
Loaded volumes FFE (’000)
Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change Change %
East-West 1,449 1,496 -47 -3.1%
North-South 1,047 1,039 8 0.8%
Intra-regional 679 631 48 7.6%
Total 3,175 3,166 9 0.3%
Average freight rates USD/FFE
Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change Change %
East-West 3,664 1,969 1,695 86%
North-South 3,888 2,802 1,086 39%
Intra-regional 1,621 1,438 183 13%
Total 3,236 2,095 1,141 54%
Fleet overview, end Q3 2024
Q3 2024 Q4 2023
TEU
Own container vessels 2,396 2,363
Chartered container vessels 1,985 1,754
Total fleet 4,381 4,117
Number of vessels
Own container vessels 305 310
Chartered container vessels 411 362
Total fleet 716 672
Management Review I Segments I Ocean I Logistics & Services
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A.P. MOLLER - MAERSK INTERIM REPORT Q3 | 31 OCTOBER 2024