December 1, 2025 | Page 6

Spotlight
Ocean carriers report weaker Q3
Container lines saw their profits fall in the last quarter due to a global slump in rates, as executives warned of a year ahead filled
with uncertainty. Average pricing, as measured by Container Trade Statistics’ Global Container Index, fell 6 % from August and nearly
28 % year over year in September. Maersk A. P. Moller saw its net profit drop 67 % to $ 1 billion in the third quarter, while revenue fell
10 % to $ 14.2 billion. The slump in freight rates led to an 18 % decline in revenue for Maersk’ s ocean division, despite higher loaded
volumes. Its Gemini Cooperation partner Hapag-Lloyd recorded an 86 % plunge in group net profit to $ 161 million for the quarter,
down from $ 1.1 billion in the prior year. CMA CGM Group reported a 73 % drop in third-quarter net income to $ 749 million, down
from $ 2.7 billion in the prior year, on revenue
that fell 11 % to $ 14 billion. CMA CGM’ s shipping
unit saw a 17 % drop in third-quarter revenue.“ We see uncertainty for the coming quarters,” Ramon Fernandez, CMA CGM Group’ s chief financial officer, said during an online briefing.“ We anticipate a slowdown in global trade and freight rates may continue to normalize.” HMM’ s
Global container freight rates fall to new 2025 low in September
Global monthly containerized freight rate index
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110
third-quarter net profit slumped to $ 208 million
from $ 1.2 billion in the year-prior period due to significantly lower freight rates in what HMM described as a volatile market; revenue fell
100
100
90
80
24 % from a year earlier to $ 1.8 billion. Ocean
Network Express( ONE) reported a fiscal second-quarter net profit of $ 285 million, an 86 % drop from $ 2 billion in the second quarter of last year.“ The overall market environment may
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50 Jan L2024
Mar
May
Jul
Sep
Nov
Jan 2025 Mar
May, 2025
Jul
Sep
not prove as robust as initially projected,” ONE said in its earnings statement.
Index level
Index level
Source: Container Trades Statistics
© 2025 S & P Global
were issued, the press office said on X. It has not issued an official announcement on the revocation of the 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs, the type of CDL issued to immigrants. Both Duffy and Newsom have accused each other of lying in what has become a major front in the Trump administration’ s immigration crackdown. The DOT wants the state to enforce its new CDL rules and English-language proficiency( ELP) requirements for truckers.
Battle over non-domiciled CDLs revs up
The battle over the legality of non-domiciled commercial driver’ s licenses( CDLs) is becoming even more intense, with California revoking 17,000 CDLs and a US court putting a stay on the new Department of Transportation( DOT) rule on non-domiciled licensing. The revocation of 17,000 non-domiciled CDLs issued by California to immigrant drivers was announced not by the Golden State but by US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who said those non-domiciled CDLs had
JW. photography31 / Shutterstock. com
been issued“ illegally.” On social media platform X, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’ s press office said the 17,000 CDLs were“ withdrawn due to inconsistency with California law.” The press office also said the immigrant drivers affected were not illegals and had US work authorization. Stricter federal requirements introduced Sept 29 were not in effect when these licenses
Edwards leaving Virginia port helm
Stephen Edwards is stepping down as leader of the Port of Virginia after having overseen the port during its recent push to serve ultra-large container ships. The Virginia Port Authority( VPA) said Edwards will vacate his role as the port’ s chief executive at the end of 2025, with Chief Administrative Office Sarah McCoy assuming the role on an interim basis. Edwards, who will be taking a role in the private sector, has led the port since January 2021 after a three-year stint as the head
6 Journal of Commerce | December 1, 2025 www. joc. com