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A.P. Moller – Maersk grows across the business

In
the third quarter of 2018, A.P. Moller – Maersk progresses in the strategic
business transformation, reporting growth in both Ocean and non-Ocean with a
total revenue increase of 31% to USD 10.1bn, 12% excluding Hamburg Süd, the
company has disclosed in a statement.
Growth
in non-Ocean was at 15%, which now contributes 31% of total revenue. In
addition, synergy effects where materialized. “Well into our transformation, we
are progressing with the integration of our business to better serve customers
and unlock the full growth potential within Logistics & Services.

“As
a result, I am pleased to see revenue growth in Q3 across the business,
including supply chain services. Our profitability and cash flow is improving,
positively impacted by the emergency bunker surcharge announced due to the
significant increase in bunker price, synergies from Hamburg Süd and strong
collaboration between Ocean and our terminal activities,” says Søren Skou, CEO
of A.P. Moller – Maersk.
Compared
to Q3 2017, revenue in Logistics & Services increased 7.5 % with supply
chain management growing 16%. New products are being developed to improve the
customer experience, with results already seen where A.P. Moller – Maersk was
first in the world to launch Instant Booking Confirmation to customers in the
container industry.

Furthermore,
gateway terminals continued to grow volumes from external customers as well as
from Maersk Line and Hamburg Süd reflecting synergy impact from the closer
collaboration. Total synergies with Hamburg Süd of minimum USD 500m excluding
integration cost are expected by 2019 as the integration is progressing faster
than planned. Cash conversion improved from 76% to 95%.

The
free cash flow of USD 2.1bn compared to negative USD 478m in the same period
last year lead to a lower net debt. Volumes in Ocean grew 27%, 5% excluding
Hamburg Süd which is above the estimated market growth of
2.7%,
but lower than anticipated.

Søren
Skou elaborates: “Our business performance in Ocean is still challenged by
increased bunker prices not being fully compensated through higher freight
rates.
However, we continue to see improved results in the third quarter after
a very weak start to 2018.” The underlying profit in Q3 amounted to USD 251m
compared to USD 254m in the same period last year. Earnings before interests,
tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 16% despite bunker
price increasing 47%.

Unit
costs at fixed bunker in Ocean decreased 0.6% compared to Q3 2017, when
adjusted for foreign exchange rate and inclusion of Hamburg Süd.

Guidance
for 2018 A.P. Moller – Maersk expects an EBITDA in the range of USD 3.6-4.0bn
from previously USD 3.5-4.2bn and reiterates the expectations of a positive
underlying profit. The organic volume growth in Ocean is now expected in line
with the estimated average market growth of 3-4% for 2018 (previously slightly
below the estimated average market growth of 2-4%).

Guidance
is maintained on gross capital expenditures (capex) around USD 3bn and a high
cash conversion (cash flow from operations compared with EBITDA). For 2019 we
now expect gross capital expenditure of USD 2-2.5bn.

The
guidance continues to be subject to uncertainties due to the current risk of further
restrictions on global trade and other factors impacting container freight
rates, bunker prices and rate of exchange.


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