SINGAPORE’s Pacific International Line saw net profit fall around 22% in FY2025 but nevertheless enjoyed a strong year — and analysts note it still leads the main containership pack on margins.
PIL Pte Ltd last week revealed net profit of US$1.04 billion for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2025, underpinned by volume growth, high asset utilisation and strong cost management amid challenging market conditions.
Group EBITDA amounted to US$1.50 billion with the container shipping business contributing US$1.47 billion.
The Group recorded revenue of US$4.27 billion, a marginal year-on-year moderation of less than 1% from 2024. This was primarily due to softening freight rates, offset by healthy volume growth. Notably, volume expansion across the Group helped cushion revenue pressures during the year, PIL said.
Group EBITDA amounted to US$1.50 billion in FY2025, with the EBITDA margin moderating to 35% from 39% in the prior year, primarily due to lower rates and increased container handling costs.
PIL said against this backdrop, the core container shipping business remained the principal driver of the Group’s performance, delivering a resilient outcome in FY2025. This was underpinned by strong volume growth and high asset utilisation across key trade corridors.
Container shipping revenue increased to US$3.81 billion, up from US$3.76 billion in 2024, supported by a 17% year‑on‑year increase in volumes to 2.58 million TEU. EBITDA was US$1.47 billion, easing from the exceptionally strong US$1.65 billion recorded in 2024. Reflecting this and higher vessel and equipment depreciation, EBIT settled at US$1.04 billion from US$1.33 billion in 2024, with the EBIT margins moderating to 27% from 35%.
While cost pressures and freight rate moderation weighed on margins compared with the rate levels recorded in 2024, the business continued to generate healthy earnings through disciplined yield management, effective fleet deployment and operational efficiency, PIL said.
The Group’s margins remain among the leading performers in the container shipping industry, with Alphaliner reporting PIL — rated 12 largest containership operator — yielded an operating margin of 27.3%, ahead of second-placed Wan Hai with 18.9%. PIL topped the table in FY2024, too.
PIL’s fleet comprised 95 owned vessels and 11 chartered-in vessels at year-end, providing operational flexibility and supporting service continuity across its global network.
Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL, said “Our results in 2025 delivers resilient profitability through volume growth and capacity optimisation. It is driven by operational agility, financial discipline, and focussed execution. Year-on-year we remain focussed on our long-term objectives in building a healthy, sustainable and progressive organisation, to better serve our customers. In 2025, we strengthened our network initiatives in 14 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, improved our sustainability rating performance, and remain on track for our fleet modernisation plans, to not only reduce emissions, but also upgrade connectivity, enhance safety and efficiency.”
“While the year ahead remains challenging amid geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruption and new capacity entering the market, Asia continues to be a key engine of global trade growth. With our deep Asian roots and experience, PIL is well positioned to adapt to evolving market conditions. As we strengthen our end-to-end supply chain capabilities, flexible network deployment and exercise disciplined cost and capacity management, I am confident in our ability to remain resilient and thrive in a volatile environment.”