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Posted by Dale Crisp
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06 Nov, 2026
COSCO SHIPPING Holdings (CSH) has reported “remarkable profit growth” for Q3 2026 despite the container shipping market encountering various challenges, including geopolitical tensions, port congestion and wide fluctuations in fuel prices.
However, global merchandise trade demand remained generally resilient amid a volatile environment, the company says and it “remained committed to the customer-centric approach”, dynamically optimised its global route network and slot allocation, bolstered the synergy between port and shipping operations, accelerated the transformation towards digital intelligence and green development and ramped up lean cost management.
As a result, its operational quality and efficiency were further strengthened, it said.
In the third quarter, the COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Company realised operating revenue of RMB 75.69 billion, up by 29.39% year-on-year; its EBIT climbed by 69.61% year-on-year to RMB 23.19 billion.
The company’s net profit surged by 81.91% year-on-year to RMB 19.24 billion. The net profit attributable to shareholders climbed by 80.73% year-on-year and 128.45% quarter-on-quarter to RMB 17.23 billion.
In the first three quarters, the net profit attributable to shareholders amounted to RMB 30.65 billion, up by 13.22% year-on-year.
CSH reported that in the third quarter, the container shipping business segment handled a shipping volume of 7.21 million TEU, representing an increase of 4.46% year-on-year. This segment generated revenue of RMB 73.30 billion, up by 30.35% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, the container terminal business segment handled a total throughput of 8.76 million TEU, representing an increase of 2.38% year-on-year. This segment generated revenue of RMB 3.31 billion, up by 7.44% year-on-year.
In the first three quarters, the container shipping business segment handled 21.49 million TEU, representing an increase of 6.47% year-on-year; the container terminal business segment handled a total throughput of 25.66 million TEU, representing an increase of 2.46% year-on-year.
CSH said it is maintaining a sound financial position. In the first three quarters, the cash inflow generated from operating activities grew by 19.83% year-on-year to RMB 47.91 billion; as of 30 September 2026, the company’s debt-to-asset ratio was 41.36%.
“Looking ahead, global container shipping demand is expected to remain relatively resilient, with trades within the Global South countries and intra-regional trades remaining the drivers for market growth,” CSH said.
“However, the intertwined complexities brought by persistent geopolitical conflicts, shifts in the international trade landscape, port congestion and supply chain disruptions will pose mounting challenges to the stability of the global supply chain.
“In this context, the trajectory of the Middle East situation will emerge as a critical variable influencing the future supply-demand dynamics of the shipping market.”
