In light of these robust results and a strong balance sheet, the Board of Directors has proposed a dividend of DKK 1,120 (approximately $155) per share and announced a share buyback program totaling up to $2 billion over the next 12 months. As of February 6, the company’s stock was priced at DKK 11,980 (around $1,660).

Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk, emphasized the company’s ability to navigate fluctuating market conditions while ensuring stable supply chains for its customers. He noted, “Our efforts were rewarded with record-high customer satisfaction. We successfully capitalized on increased demand while enhancing productivity and rigorously managing costs, all contributing to our strong financial performance.” Clerc highlighted Maersk’s unique positioning with three strong business units—Ocean, Logistics & Services, and Terminals—along with integrated supply chain offerings, which are essential in an environment marked by geopolitical changes and disruptions.

The Ocean segment experienced enhanced profitability compared to the previous year, benefiting from a marked increase in freight rates driven by heightened demand and disruptions in the Red Sea. Strong utilization rates and disciplined cost management helped streamline operations, maintaining stable operational costs despite increased expenses from rerouting.

Logistics & Services showed resilience throughout 2024, demonstrating consistent momentum each quarter. This led to volume growth, higher revenue, and an improved EBIT margin compared to 2023, with a 7% increase in revenue supported by strong performance in warehousing, air, and first-mile services.

The terminals division achieved record financial results, with both EBITDA and EBIT hitting all-time highs. This success was attributed to strong volume growth, inflation mitigating tariff increases, a favorable customer and product mix, and increased storage revenue.

Looking ahead to 2025, Maersk forecasts global container volume growth of approximately 4% and aims to align its growth with market trends. The financial outlook assumes the Red Sea will reopen by mid-year for the lower end of projections and by year-end for the upper end, though uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment could impact container volumes and freight rates.

In 2024, Maersk returned $1.6 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks, and the demerger of Svitzer provided an additional $1.1 billion via a dividend in-kind. Although the Board had previously opted to suspend the share buyback program, it has now approved a new buyback initiative of up to approximately $2 billion to be executed over the next year, contingent upon stabilization in the Ocean market.