Average operating margins for the leading container carriers fell by a third to their lowest level in two years in the final quarter of 2022, following the severe decline in rates and demand.
Following an average margin of 51.9% in the third quarter of 2022, the top 10 carriers reported a much more modest 33.3% for the fourth quarter, the lowest level since Q4 2020.
There was a wide range of results at individual carrier level: Japanese carrier ONE was at the top end of the range with a margin of 43.7%, while Taiwanese intra-Asia specialist Wan Hai Lines fell to the bottom with 11.6%.
Source: Alphaliner
