Hapag-Lloyd CEO: Container Shipping Demand Remains Resilient Amid Geopolitical Volatility

Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said container shipping demand has remained stronger than expected despite disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East, rising operating costs and uncertainty over the resumption of shipping services through the Red Sea.

According to Habben Jansen, the operating environment for container shipping is becoming increasingly difficult to predict, while the security situation in the Middle East continues to affect fleet deployment, operating costs and service networks.

Middle East Instability Drives Up Operating Costs

Assessing the regional situation, Habben Jansen said the Middle East is currently “very strained and fluid.”

With the safety of seafarers and employees as its top priority, Hapag-Lloyd has suspended transits through the Strait of Hormuz as regional security risks continue to affect vessel deployment. The carrier said the situation could result in schedule changes, route diversions and service disruptions on affected trades.

These disruptions continue to affect container freight rates while increasing carriers’ operating costs. 

According to Hapag-Lloyd, fuel, insurance, storage, rerouting and inland transportation costs have all risen during the crisis.

Habben Jansen said the additional costs arising from the Middle East crisis are estimated at USD 50–60 million per week, up from the previously reported USD 40–50 million.

Hapag-Lloyd subsequently continued to report the impact of the disruption at Hormuz on fuel, insurance, storage, service diversions and inland transportation costs in its second-quarter 2026 results.

Shipping Demand Remains Better Than Expected

Despite these headwinds, Habben Jansen said container shipping demand remains relatively healthy.

In an interview with CNBC in August, Habben Jansen said container shipping demand was holding up fairly well compared with expectations, as the shipping industry continued to face instability in the Middle East and other operational challenges, including low water levels on the Rhine River.

Regarding the impact of tariffs, he said higher tariffs could alter trade flows but were unlikely to bring international trade to a complete standstill.

In his view, tariff levels of 15–20% are “not great ” for global trade, but they are not high enough to bring international trade to a standstill. “That doesn’t stop global trade,” he said. 

He also said market demand had performed better than expected following the period of volatility earlier in the year, while the decline in freight rates had begun to slow.

Gemini Expands the Return of Services to the Red Sea and Suez Canal

One of the notable changes to the container shipping network is the continued return of additional Gemini Cooperation services to the Red Sea and Suez Canal route by Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk.

Most recently, the two carriers announced adjustments to four services - NE4, SE1, SE2 and IEX - moving them from routes around the Cape of Good Hope back to the Red Sea. The changes are being introduced on a voyage-by-voyage basis from mid-September, with specific implementation dates varying by service.

The move follows earlier adjustments by Gemini. Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk have already returned some services to the Red Sea since the beginning of the year, including IMX, followed by SE3 and SE4.

The route changes shorten sailing distances compared with routing around the Cape of Good Hope and could therefore improve transit times on the affected trades. However, the further expansion of services through the Suez Canal remains dependent on the carriers’ security assessments.

Hapag-Lloyd has emphasized that the safety of its crews, vessels and cargo remains its top priority. The carrier said it would continue to monitor the situation and inform customers of any relevant changes.

For the market, the increasing number of services returning to the Suez route will alter the distribution of shipping capacity and could affect transit times and freight-rate levels as service networks are adjusted.

Hapag-Lloyd Adjusts Structure of Proposed ZIM Acquisition

Alongside its operating activities, Hapag-Lloyd is continuing to adjust its proposed USD 4.2 billion acquisition of ZIM to address requirements related to Israel’s maritime security and independence.

Under the original transaction structure, Hapag-Lloyd would acquire 100% of ZIM’s shares for USD 35 per share in cash. At the same time, FIMI would take over a separately carved-out portion of ZIM’s container shipping operations in Israel, initially comprising 16 vessels, and assume the obligations associated with ZIM’s Golden Share.

In its latest update, Hapag-Lloyd said discussions with the Israeli government and relevant authorities had intensified. CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said:

“We have listened carefully to the needs raised during our discussions with the Israeli government and the relevant authorities. Together with our partners, we are now developing an improved proposal designed to further strengthen Israel’s maritime security and independence.”

Hapag-Lloyd also said the revised proposal is intended to safeguard Israel’s access to critical shipping routes, including connections from Asia, while strengthening the protective mechanisms under the Golden Share arrangements.

According to Habben Jansen, Hapag-Lloyd expects the transaction to generate USD 300–500 million in annual synergies once completed. If the deal closes, Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM would have more than 400 vessels, capacity of over 3 million TEU and annual transported volumes exceeding 18 million TEU.

This scale would place Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM among the world’s largest container shipping companies. However, according to Hapag-Lloyd, the combined company would remain in fifth place, without overtaking COSCO to move into fourth place.

See more:

• US Container Imports Reach 2.6 Million TEU, Third-Highest Volume on Record
• Prolonged Gulf Crisis Raises Biofouling Risks for Idled Vessels
• SITC – CONNECTING CAMBODIA WITH VIETNAM AND THE WORLD
• COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Begins A-Share Listing Process in Shanghai
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 37/2026 | Phaata
• US-Iran Conflict Puts Growing Pressure on Maritime Operations in the Strait of Hormuz
• 18 Maritime Nations Warn of a “Structural Shift” in Global Trade
• Rotterdam World Gateway Completes €500 Million Financing for Expansion Project
• Maersk Updates PSS for Mediterranean–North America Trade
• Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI Given 30 More Days to Restructure ZIM Deal
• International Shipping and Logistics Market Update Week 36/2026 | Phaata
• Maersk and ONE Hike Environmental Surcharges on Asia–Europe Trades Effective October 2026
• German Seaports: Over 6,000 Port Workers Reject ZDS's 5.1% Wage Offer; Threat of Fresh Strikes Remains on the Table
• Port Strike in the Netherlands on September 4: Rotterdam Could Face Nearly Eight Hours of Disrupted Vessel Handling
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in Sep 2026
• SITC updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Sep 2026

Source: Phaata.com (According to Freight Waves)

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