However, the leader’s enthusiasm found limits. The analysis of the situation in the third quarter of the year makes him more cautious. A period during which he noted “a deterioration in market conditions as well as an increase in operating costs linked to inflation”.
In addition, Hapag-Lloyd saw its operating costs rise from 10.1 to 10.8 billion euros. An increase due in particular to soaring fuel prices and handling expenses.
For the maritime carrier, bunkering costs indeed amounted to 755 dollars per ton during the period, whereas they had represented only 452 dollars per ton during the first three quarters of 2021. We therefore had to face a additional cost of more than 300 dollars when the ships filled their holds.
Uncertainties continue to loom
Overall, the financial performance achieved during the first nine months remains in line with the forecasts established by the company at the end of July. For the 2022 financial year, an Ebitda of around 19.5 to 21.5 billion euros (compared to 18.2 to 20.1 billion last year during the same period), and an Ebit ( operating income) of around 17.5 to 19.5 billion euros (compared to 16.3 to 18.2 billion in 2021) are still expected.
Projections which remain subject, according to the group, to “uncertainty given the war in Ukraine, the disruptions in the global supply chain which have not yet been fully resolved and the effects of the pandemic”.