Ocean carriers continue to return to normal financial figures this year. This “normalisation”, combined with the astronomical results of the previous year, shows some huge year-on-year declines in shipping lines’ performance so far in 2023.
ZIM is not an exception reporting an 87% drop in its Q2 adjusted EBITDA at US$275 million and a 62% decrease in its Q2 revenues at US$1.31 billion. In the same period, the Israeli carrier saw a net loss of US$213 million, compared to a net income of US$1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2022. Additionally, the company’s operating loss (EBIT) for the second quarter was US$168 million, while in the same quarter last year, ZIM had achieved an operating income of more than US$1.76 billion.
The Haifa-headquartered container shipping firm slightly increased its carried volume in the second quarter at 860,000 TEUs, but the average freight rate per TEU was US$1,193, translating to a year-over-year decrease of 67%.
ZIM’s president and CEO, Eli Glickman commented, “Although our second quarter results reflected continued near-term challenges in the container shipping market, our total cash position of US$3.2 billion at quarter’s end remains strong. We believe our ample liquidity and solid balance sheet will enable ZIM to operate from a position of strength and maintain a long-term view even during a prolonged period of market weakness. As we overhaul our fleet profile and advance ESG objectives, for both ZIM and customers, we remain confident in the Company’s strategic positioning to drive profitable growth over the long term.”
For the full year 2023, ZIM expects to generate adjusted EBITDA of US$1.2 billion to US$1.6 billion and adjusted EBIT loss of US$500 to US$100 million.
“Based on a soft peak season and demand that is expected to remain subdued for the remainder of the year, ZIM forecasts full year adjusted EBITDA of US$1.2 billion to US$1.6 billion and adjusted EBIT loss of US$500 million to US$100 million in 2023. Moving ahead, we are committed to leveraging digital initiatives, enhancing our commercial and operational resilience, and further implementing our differentiated strategy to best serve our customers and generate sustainable value for shareholders,” pointed out Glickman.
Summary of Key Financial and Operational Results
| ZIM financial results | Second quarter of 2023 | Second quarter of 2022 | First half of 2023 | First half of 2022 |
| Carried volume | 860,000 TEUs | 856,000 TEUs | 1,629,000 TEUs | 1,715,000 TEUs |
| Average freight rate | US$1,193/TEU | US$3,596/TEU | US$1,286/TEU | US$3,722/TEU |
| Total Revenues | US$1.31 billion | US$3.429 billion | US$2.684 billion | US$7.145 billion |
| Operating income or loss (EBIT) | US$168 million (loss) | US$1.764 billion | US$182 million (loss) | US$4 billion |
| Profit or loss before income tax | US$272 million (loss) | US$1.736 billion | US$337 million (loss) | US$3.955 billion |
| Net income or loss | US$213 million (loss) | US$1.336 billion | US$271 million (loss) | US$3.047 billion |
| Adjusted EBITDA | US$275 million | US$2.101 billion | US$648 million | US$4.634 billion |
| Adjusted EBIT | US$147 million (loss) | US$1.764 billion | US$160 million | US$4 billion |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 21% | 61% | 24% | 65% |
| Adjusted EBIT margin | -11% | 51% | -6% | %56 |
| Diluted earnings or loss per share | -US$1.79 | US$11.07 | -US$2.29 | US$25.26 |
| Net cash generated from operating activities |
US$347 million | US$1.71 billion | US$520 million | US$3.37 billion |
| Free cash flow | US$321 million | US$1.639 billion | US$463 million | US$3.122 billion |
