In a statement, Maersk cited the "disruption caused by the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea" and "continued strong container market demand" as factors leading to "further port congestions" and rising container freight rates.
"This development is gradually building up and is expected to contribute to a stronger financial performance in the second half of 2024," Maersk stated.
The Danish company now forecasts its underlying core profit (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization or EBIDA) to be between $7 and $9 billion for the full year.
In its first quarter earnings report in May, Maersk had projected this core profit to be between $4 and $6 billion. The Huthi rebels, who control much of Yemen, have conducted numerous drone and missile attacks on ships since November, claiming to support Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Since January, the United States and Britain have launched repeated strikes on Huthi targets in Yemen in response to the rebels' harassment of shipping.
Maersk noted that trading conditions remain volatile "given the unpredictability of the Red Sea situation and the lack of clarity on future supply and demand."
