The Taiwanese liners and OOIL have reported their top line results for 1Q 2024 between 10 April and 12 April (last week), being the first batch of operating updates from container liners for the period. The revenue for 1Q 2024 rebounded between 11% and 34% QoQ as expected but the rebound tracked below the CCFI’s 51% jump QoQ. Nevertheless, the top line rebound should move the liners’ EBIT margin to mid teen in 1Q. YMM being the liners with higher long haul spot exposure has delivered the higher
Taiwanese carriers reported 3Q 2023 financial results last week with their earnings decline accelerating in spite of the volume recovery. Aggregating the liners’ top line breakdown, volume was up 4% QoQ and 2% YoY while unit revenue was down 11% QoQ and 58% YoY. Interest and liquid investment income have become a significant addition to the carriers’ bottom lines as their cash balances are now comparable to the fixed assets on their balance sheets. Several off the charts data in EMC’s 3Q result
Taiwanese liners’ August revenue in NTD moved up 6% MoM, but revenue in USD moved up less at 4% MoM. In either currency, the rebound is better than CCFI on likely sequential volume growth. Since hitting the bottom in February, these liners’ monthly revenue has rebounded between 3%-27% with EMC leading due to its ongoing consolidation of the unlisted ship owning entities highlighted by the acquisition of the privately owned Evergreen Marine (Singapore) (EMS) for $780m on 19 June 2023, in a landm
Yang Ming 2Q earnings avoid sequential fall at the EBIT level as sequential fall in revenue was offset by the reduction in operating expense, which is an outliner. Yang Ming led the container liner peers in 13% QoQ reduction in OPEX excluding bunker, depreciation and SG&A, which consists of mainly port handlings and equity repositioning. Among the liners, e.g. Maersk and Hapag Lloyd, that have disclosed port handling expenses, unit costs for this item were down QoQ but the drop is mostly off
EMC, the listed shipping arm of the Evergreen Group, reported June revenue on 7 July where its revenue (in USD) dropped 4% MoM. In contrast, Yang Ming’s June revenue rebounded from its May low while Wan Hai’s June revenue was flat MoM. Overall, the 3 main Taiwanese carriers’ 2Q revenue fell 3% QoQ and 66% YoY. EMC was only able to avoid a decline in revenue due to the consolidation of the Evergreen Group’s non listed entities held outside of EMC (see Week 26 Market Pulse).
YMM put out its preliminary financial data after market on 12 May and then gave the full quarterly disclosure on 15 May. Profit attributable to shareholder down 95% YoY to a level similar of those seen in the long trough cycle before 2020.
Taiwanese liners’ March revenue (in USD) rebounded 14% MoM versus CCFI’s continue decline. YoY comparison is still negative by 66%. The sequentially rebound is likely volume driven, a normal seasonal pattern from Feb to Mar.
The aggregate November monthly revenue for the 3 Taiwanese liners amounted to $2,2bn, down 18% MoM and 44% YoY. The 18% sequential drop was faster than the CCFI's 14% sequential drop in November.
EMC, YMM and WHL reported October top line. In aggregate, which provide better read through for the industry, revenue in USD fell 15% MoM and 33% YoY, probably would be taken as positive surprises since the fall is less than CCFI. As additional context for this set of October figures, the Taiwanese liners' revenue fell more more than CCFI during September.
WHL and YMM also reported their August revenue last week, after EMC. WHL's August revenue fell 20% YoY, 12% MoM and 40% from its peak in Jan 2022. YMM's August revenue also fell both YoY and MoM. If the same MoM pace continues for Sep, the three Taiwanese liners will likely report 9% M0M lower top line and hence 7% QoQ lower top line for for 3Q 2022. Liner industry reported about 58% EBIT margin and 50% net profit margin during 2Q 2022. So on the ballpark, every 1% drop in top line would mean