Maersk is cutting jobs as the global maritime transport industry faces overcapacity and declining profits. The Danish shipping giant said it is implementing organizational streamlining measures to maintain strict cost discipline.
Accordingly, around 1,000 out of 6,000 office-based positions will be eliminated. Maersk currently employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide.
Streamlining operations to control costs
To adapt to challenging market conditions, Maersk is rolling out a restructuring program and reducing corporate administrative expenses.
The company stated that workforce reductions are a necessary step to:
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Optimize operations
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Reduce fixed costs
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Maintain long-term competitiveness
This move reflects mounting pressure across the global shipping market.
Revenue declines despite higher cargo volumes
Maersk reported 2025 revenue of USD 54 billion, down from USD 55.5 billion in 2024.
Notably, shipping volumes still rose 4.9%, in line with broader market growth. However, profits declined due to:
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Falling freight rates
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Excess vessel capacity
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Intensifying price competition
This indicates that volume growth no longer translates into profit growth.
Net profit falls to lowest level in five years
Maersk’s net profit dropped to USD 2.7 billion in 2025, more than halving from USD 6.1 billion in 2024.
The main driver was a downturn in ocean shipping, where:
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Segment profit fell nearly one-third
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To USD 6.3 billion
This marks the group’s lowest net profit level in the past five years.
Geopolitical volatility continues to weigh on trade
According to Maersk, global trade in 2025 remained affected by prolonged disruptions, including:
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Security tensions in the Red Sea
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Reinstated tariff measures
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Persistent geopolitical conflicts
These factors disrupted supply chains and increased uncertainty across the shipping industry.
Cautious profit outlook for 2026
Operating profit (EBIT) reached USD 3.5 billion in 2025, exceeding FactSet analysts’ forecast of USD 3.2 billion, but still sharply lower than USD 6.5 billion in 2024.
For 2026, Maersk expects:
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Ocean shipping volumes to grow 2–4%
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Freight rates to remain at low levels
As a result, full-year performance could range from:
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A loss of USD 1.5 billion
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To a profit of USD 1 billion
This outlook suggests the shipping industry will continue facing significant headwinds in the near term.
