HMM reported a net profit of KRW 304 billion for the third quarter of 2025, navigating a challenging freight market marked by lower rates and subdued demand.
The South Korean shipping company posted revenue of KRW 2,706 billion and an operating profit of KRW 297 billion for the quarter, maintaining an operating margin of 11% despite continued market headwinds.
While year-on-year figures reflected a sharp decline, with revenue down 23.8% and net profit falling 82.5% from the same quarter in 2024, HMM achieved sequential growth compared with the previous quarter. Revenue rose 3.2%, and operating profit increased 27.5% from Q2 2025.
For the first nine months of 2025, HMM recorded revenue of KRW 8,184 billion, operating profit of KRW 1,144 billion, and net profit of KRW 1,515 billion.
The company attributed its resilience to continued cost optimization and efficient operations, even as the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) averaged 1,481 points in Q3, down 52% from the same period last year.
Looking ahead, HMM expects market conditions to remain weak in the fourth quarter due to the traditional year-end slowdown and ongoing uncertainty around U.S. tariff policies. The company plans to optimize vessel deployment, focus on high-yield cargo segments such as reefer and out-of-gauge shipments, and explore new trade routes to support profitability.
