Maersk recorded a third-quarter profit lift after cutting costs and enjoying an increased demand for box volumes.
The operator of the world’s biggest container line confirmed a 2.8% increase in earnings, topping out at $3.2billion. Underlying profits totalled $1.3billion.
Chief executive Nils Anderson said: “We are very satisfied with the result for the 3rd quarter of 2014 where we achieved an underlying profit of $1.3billion, driven by operational improvements in Maersk Line, Maersk Oil and APM Terminals.
“Looking at the first nine months, the group’s underlying result has improved by $729million, equalling 25%, compared to same period last year.
“We are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities materialising in a volatile macroeconomic environment, and despite some caution in relation to the market outlook for the coming quarters, we maintain our outlook for the Group result to be around USD 4.5bn for the year.”
During the third quarter, Maersk’s freight rates rose 0.9%.
Container volumes are likely to rise by between 3% and 5% for the full year.
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