Logistics giant K+N reports bullish start to 2025

SWISS logistics giant Kuehne+Nagel has reported a strong start to 2025, with global freight volumes up across its sea and air divisions for the first quarter of the year as compared with 2024.

Quarterly figures showed one million containers moved by sea, a three percent increase on 2024, with earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) up to CHF 210 million Swiss francs (around AU$400million).

The consolidation of US-based IMC Logistics into the business back in January was reported by the company to have been an important factor.

The air division reported handling 514,000 tonnes of freight in the quarter, five percent up on the year before, with EBIT up by 23 percent to 116 million Swiss francs (around AU$220 million).

The company did report a slump in its road logistics division, with quarterly EBIT down 37 percent due to “weak demand in European markets”.

The contract logistics division was up slightly in financial terms, with EBIT of 57 million Swiss francs compared with 55 million the year before.

Overall, the company reported EBIT of 402 million Swiss francs (around AU$760 million) compared with 376 million Swiss francs (around AU$715 million) in the 2024 first quarter.

Chief executive Stefan Paul said it had been “a strong start in the new financial year”.

“We increased our market share, gained new customers, and also improved profitability,” he said.

“Despite the challenging global economic environment, the company achieved double-digit growth in net turnover. We remain well prepared and positioned to implement our strategic objectives.”

Kuehne+Nagel also has been pushing a message of sustainability, with its 2024 Sustainability Report identifying the role of electric vehicles and low carbon fuels.

Mr Paul said the company was committed to the use of low-emission technologies and strengthening partnerships “to drive sustainability forward”.