ZIM Reports Q1 2025 Net Profit of $296 Million

ZIM today announced its consolidated business results for the first quarter of 2025. The company reported that revenue totaled $2.01 billion in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $1.56 billion in the same period last year. The increase is primarily attributed to a rise in freight rates and the volume of cargo transported. ZIM transported 944,000 TEUs in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 846,000 TEUs in the same period last year. The average freight rate per TEU stood at $1,776 in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $1,452 in the same period last year.

The operating profit (EBIT) in the first quarter of 2025 totaled $464 million, compared to $167 million in the same period last year. The increase is primarily attributed to the aforementioned rise in revenue. The net profit in the first quarter of 2025 totaled $296 million, compared to $92 million in the same period last year, an increase that is also mainly attributed to the aforementioned growth in revenue.

The adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2025 totaled $779 million, compared to $427 million in the same period last year. The adjusted EBIT totaled $463 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $167 million in the same period last year. The adjusted EBITDA and EBIT margins in the first quarter of 2025 stood at 39% and 23% respectively, compared to 27% and 11% respectively in the same period last year.

Eli Glickman, President and CEO of ZIM, said: "ZIM started the year on a positive note, showing a 12% growth in the volume of cargo transported and significant profitability in the first quarter of the year. Thanks to the company's upgraded fleet and efficiency in the cost structure, the company generated revenues of $2.01 billion and a net profit of $296 million in the first quarter. Following the company's proven track record of returning capital to shareholders, we announced a dividend of $0.74 per share, or $89 million, representing about 30% of the net profit in the quarter."

Mr. Glickman added, "Looking ahead to the rest of the year, the operating environment continues to be characterized by high uncertainty, due to a number of factors affecting global trade and economic expectations. ZIM is focusing on the factors within its control and responding quickly and decisively to changes in the industry. We are constantly examining the best way to deploy our fleet and have made changes to the company's line array to adapt to changes in trade from China and other Southeast Asian countries to the United States, including last week, in a way that demonstrates the flexibility of our trade strategy."

Mr. Glickman concluded, "Despite the increased level of uncertainty, the company has confirmed its forecast for 2025 for an adjusted EBITDA in the range of $1.6 to $2.2 billion and an adjusted EBIT in the range of $350 to $950 million. We believe that we have built a resilient business and will continue to benefit from the company's strategic investment in a larger, more modern, and more efficient fleet, about 40% of which is powered by natural gas. Based on our efficiency in our cost structure, we believe that the company is well positioned to achieve profitable growth over time."

The company confirms its previous forecast for 2025, and expects an adjusted EBITDA in the range of $1.6 to $2.2 billion and an adjusted EBIT in the range of $350 million to $950 million.