Last year proved to be very successful for the German carrier Hapag-Lloyd, which published its preliminary and unaudited 2022 figures on 31 January, revealing an EBITDA of USD 20.5 billion (EUR 19.4 billion).

Today, the company announced its full annual report, in which it asserted that 2022 was “very successful” with “exceptionally strong results.”

The company increased its revenues to USD 36.4 billion (EUR 34.5 billion) – a USD 10 billion increase compared to 2021.  The strong profits raised Hapag-Lloyd’s equity to EUR 28 billion, and the equity ratio has risen to over 70%.

“For these reasons, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of Hapag-Lloyd AG have decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting that a dividend of EUR 63 per share be paid out for the 2022 financial year – which corresponds to a total payout of EUR 11.1 billion,” disclosed the carrier.

However, Hapag-Lloyd’s future outlook anticipates a gradual decrease in earnings as the market begins to normalise after the pandemic.

The company expects next year’s EBITDA to be in the range of USD 4.3 to 6.5 billion (EUR 4 to 6 billion) and the EBIT to be in the range of USD 2.1 to 4.3 billion (EUR 2 to 4 billion).

 “We have got the current financial year off to a decent start, but the economy has cooled, and a significant decrease in earnings remains inevitable,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG.

“Quality and sustainability will continue to have the highest priority for us, as will the safety and well-being of our employees,” he added.