Orient Overseas (International) Limited reported a profit attributable to equity holders of US$728 million for the first half of 2026.
This compared with US$954.2 million during the same period in 2025.
Group revenue increased to US$5.173 billion from US$4.876 billion. Meanwhile, group EBIT reached US$728 million, while EBITDA amounted to US$1.255 billion.
Operating cash flow totalled US$819 million during the six-month period ending 30 June 2026.
OOIL interim financial results
| Financial measure | First half of 2026 | First half of 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | US$5.173 billion | US$4.876 billion |
| EBIT | US$728 million | US$985 million |
| EBITDA | US$1.255 billion | US$1.466 billion |
| Profit attributable to equity holders | US$728 million | US$954 million |
Earnings per ordinary share reached US$1.10, compared with US$1.44 in the first half of 2025.
The board declared an interim dividend of US$0.55 per ordinary share. The total distribution will amount to approximately US$363 million, representing around 50% of the profit attributable to equity holders.
OOCL liftings reach 4.1 million TEUs
OOCL recorded its highest first-half liftings and liner revenue outside the pandemic period.
Total liner liftings increased by 5.2% to 4.132 million TEUs. Total liner revenue rose by 5.5% year on year.
Loadable capacity reached 4.990 million TEUs, compared with 4.738 million TEUs one year earlier.
Operating capacity increased to 1.177 million TEUs from 1.058 million TEUs.
| Operational measure | First half of 2026 | First half of 2025 |
| Liner liftings | 4.132 million TEUs | 3.926 million TEUs |
| Loadable capacity | 4.990 million TEUs | 4.738 million TEUs |
| Operating capacity | 1.177 million TEUs | 1.058 million TEUs |
| Container Transport and Logistics EBIT | US$728 million | US$977 million |
| EBIT margin | 14.1% | 20.1% |
Fuel costs increase
OOCL recorded an average bunker price of approximately US$582 per tonne during the first half of 2026.
This represented an increase of 8% from US$541 per tonne in the corresponding period of 2025.
Higher bunker prices and increased fuel consumption from operating a larger fleet raised the group’s bunker costs.
OOIL said conflict in the Middle East, the delayed return to the Red Sea, fluctuations in oil prices and higher European carbon costs placed additional pressure on liner operations.
At the same time, regional trade growth, emerging market activity and US inventory restocking supported demand and contributed to an earlier peak season.
OOIL orders 12 LNG dual-fuel vessels
OOIL ordered 12 LNG dual-fuel container ships with a capacity of 13,600 TEUs each.
The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2030.
The group also took delivery of OOCL Wisdom in June. After completing green methanol bunkering at Qingdao Port, the vessel began its maiden voyage to Europe on 3 July.
OOCL Wisdom is the first green methanol dual-fuel container vessel delivered to the group.
Net cash reaches US$4.5 billion
OOIL ended the period with cash and bank balances of US$5.783 billion.
The group reported total debt of US$1.272 billion and net cash of US$4.511 billion as of 30 June 2026.
Total assets stood at US$18.191 billion, while total equity reached US$13.871 billion.
OOIL reported a net cash-to-equity ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09.
Freight rate pressure remains possible
OOIL said vessels operating on the vast majority of its long-haul routes were fully loaded when it issued the report. The company expected this situation to continue during the following weeks.
However, freight rates may face pressure as new vessels enter service and the peak season ends.
The group said geopolitical risks, trade policy changes, port congestion and fragmented environmental regulations could continue disrupting supply chains.
OOIL will focus on capacity deployment, network optimisation, cost control and the expansion of its digital and green capabilities.
