Supply Chain Research

Container-line Maersk reported better-than-expected revenues for 4Q 2017, with 16% growth having outperformed analysts’ estimates by 10%. Two-thirds of the outperformance likely reflects the early consolidation of Hamburg Sud, while a 7% rise in achieved container-rates was better than the 1% global average. The latter indicates Maersk avoided being drawn into aggressive competition. Yet, the rate rise wasn’t enough to fully offset a 23% rise in bunker fuel rates, with the result that group EBITDA margin of 10.3% was below the 10.8% expected. That’s a similar result to that delivered by ...