On 13 August, HMM, South Korea's flagship container shipping line, released its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2026.

On a quarterly basis, HMM recorded revenue of KRW 3.402 trillion (approximately USD 2.39 billion) in the second quarter of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of 29.7%. Operating profit reached KRW 354 billion (approximately USD 250 million), up 51.9% year-on-year, while net profit came in at KRW 411 billion (approximately USD 290 million), a year-on-year decline of 12.7%. The operating profit margin for the quarter stood at 10.4%.

For the first half of the year on a cumulative basis, HMM achieved revenue of KRW 6.121 trillion (approximately USD 4.30 billion), up 11.8% year-on-year. Operating profit totalled KRW 623 billion (approximately USD 440 million), down 26.4% year-on-year, while net profit reached KRW 765 billion (approximately USD 540 million), a year-on-year decline of 36.8%. The operating profit margin for the first half stood at 10.2%.

HMM noted that the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index averaged 1,957 points in the first half of 2026, representing an increase of approximately 15% from the 1,701 points recorded in the same period of the prior year. Although revenue losses and elevated fuel costs arising from the Middle East conflict weighed on performance from March onwards, freight rates recovered from late May, driven by an earlier-than-anticipated start to the peak season. Through disciplined fuel cost management, the maximisation of fleet operating efficiency via a hub-and-spoke operational strategy, and the active development of new demand across Southeast Asia, HMM sustained stable profitability throughout a period of considerable market volatility.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, HMM indicated that market uncertainty is set to rise, compounded by a confluence of supply chain risk factors including shifts in United States tariff policy, port congestion, and ongoing geopolitical conflict.

Of particular note is HMM's steady advancement of its previously announced fleet expansion programme. Building upon cumulative investments of KRW 10 trillion made over the past 15 months, the company will commit a further KRW 29 trillion (approximately USD 19.7 billion) to expand its container fleet to 1.47 million TEU across 166 vessels, and its bulk fleet to 13.52 million deadweight tonnes across 110 vessels - all by 2030. These investments are not isolated projects but part of a deliberate, forward-looking strategy to reinforce HMM's competitive standing and strengthen its position across global trade lanes.

https://www.shippingazette.com/news/9260800000338