The container shipping industry has reported a strong recovery in the second quarter of 2026.
Combined revenues, operating profits and global cargo volumes all posted substantial year-on-year gains, following a difficult 2025.
The reporting carriers generated combined revenue of $43.4 billion in Q2 2026, up 15.9 per cent year-on-year.
Among the eight lines that have so far published earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), combined EBIT reached $2.69 billion, a 58.2 per cent increase on the $1.70 billion these same carriers posted collectively in Q2 2025.
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The rebound in profitability has been underpinned by growth in global transported volumes. Of the six carriers that have reported volume figures to date, all recorded positive year-on-year growth in Q2 2026. Figures for COSCO, HMM and Yang Ming for the quarter have not yet been published.
While none of the reporting carriers achieved double-digit global volume growth, expansion was resilient across the board.
OOCL led with global volume growth of 8.8 per cent, followed by CMA CGM at 6.0 per cent. ONE posted the smallest increase among reporting carriers, at 2.9 per cent.
Taken together, global volumes across the reporting carriers grew 4.7 per cent year-on-year in Q2 2026, driven by an 8.9 per cent year-on-year rise on the Transpacific and a 4.9 per cent increase on Asia-Europe.
The figures suggest the market has regained solid footing following last year’s disruptions.
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