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Maersk Flags Cost Shock From Hormuz Shutdown After Q1 Beat

Higher oil from the closed strait is now in freight rates.

Overview

  • Maersk, which reported results Thursday, posted underlying EBITDA of about $1.73–$1.75 billion, beat forecasts, and kept its 2026 view for 2%–4% container growth.
  • CEO Vincent Clerc said the energy shock could add about $500 million in monthly costs if oil stays near $100 a barrel, and he signaled those costs are being passed to customers.
  • With commercial traffic at the Strait of Hormuz near a standstill, Maersk suspended key Middle East links to Asia and Europe and is routing ships around Africa to avoid the Red Sea chokepoints.
  • A U.S.-flagged Maersk-operated vessel transited the strait under U.S. Navy escort this week, but President Trump has paused the wider rescue effort and about eight Maersk ships remain stuck in the Gulf.
  • Shares fell roughly 7.5% in Copenhagen after the update as investors focused on higher fuel bills, fragile freight rates, and the risk that rising shipping costs could sap demand later this year.