IN THE face of a highly uncertain external environment COSCO SHIPPING Holdings achieved an outstanding operational performance, resilient growth and retention of a sound financial position in H1 2025, according to results released late last week.
The company achieved operating revenue of RMB109.10 billion (USD 150 billion), representing a 7.78% year-on-year increase. It realised EBIT of RMB25.49 billion, representing an increase of 3.40% year-on-year; EBIT margin reached 23.37%; the net profit of the Company was approximately RMB20.21 billion, representing an increase of 4.95% year-on-year; the net profit attributable to the shareholders of the Company was approximately RMB17.54 billion, representing an increase of 3.95% year-on-year.
Revenue from the container shipping business was RMB104.80 billion, representing a 7.49% year-on-year increase, while revenue from the container terminal business was RMB5.84 billion, representing a 14.75% year-on-year increase.
“During the reporting period, COSCO SHIPPING Holdings adhered to the principle of steadily driving growth,” it said. It actively built an integrated and intelligent supply chain system comprising “container shipping + ports + related logistics”, innovated business models through integrated global resources, and promoted efficient operation and high-quality development.
“In the first half of 2025, the demand and freight rates of global container shipping market remained volatile amid multiple factors such as the tariff swings and lingering geopolitical tensions. In the face of highly uncertain external environment, COSCO SHIPPING Holdings proactively identified and responded to changes. While driving steady enhancement in operating efficiency, it leveraged its two new growth drivers, digital intelligence and green low-carbon development, to expedite the synergetic development of core container shipping business and digital supply chain business.
During the reporting period, the container shipping business handled 13.28 million TEU, up by 6.59% year-on-year. Freight volumes on Trans-Pacific routes, Asia-Europe routes, Intra-Asia routes (including Oceania), other international routes (including Africa/Latin America) and China’s coastal and inland routes increased by 4.72%, 3.88%, 5.21%, 11.95% and 9.53% year-on-year, respectively.
The revenue from supply chain other than ocean shipping reached RMB21.58 billion, representing an 8.37% year-on-year increase. “By enhancing efficiency, integrating resources and extending value, the full-chain supply chain service effectively mitigates the impact of market demand fluctuations on shipping business, ensuring the continuous and stable operation of the core business,” the company said.
“Looking ahead, the container shipping industry is expected to remain complex and volatile,” the company said. “The domino effects of economic and trade policies coupled with ongoing geopolitical tensions, the reshaping of competitive landscape triggered by technological and green transformation, and the frequent occurrence of various unforeseen events, all may have a profound impact on the overall market development.
“To sum up, COSCO SHIPPING Holdings will stick to its positioning as a “global digital supply chain operation and investment platform with a primary focus on container shipping”.