AP Moeller-Maersk AS said in its third quarter trading update that it still sees a full-year 2006 net profit of around 16 bln dkr on sales of around 270 bln dkr.
However, it added that the result is still sensitive to changes in freight rates and volumes as well as in oil prices and exchange rates in the remainder of the year.
In the first nine months of the year, container freight rates were around 6 pct lower than the year before.
In the second half of 2006, the transported volumes are expected to increase by some 10 pct compared to the first half of the year, primarily due to seasonal development.
AP Moeller-Maersk also said that fuel expenses were 35 pct higher per tonne for the first nine months compared to the same period last year.
The container shipping business is expected to report a net loss in the region of 0.6 bln usd for 2006 after gains on sale of ships and after integration costs related to the acquisition of P&O Nedlloyd.
It said integration costs in 2006 are now expected to be well below the previously expected 180 mln usd.
Tankers, offshore and other shipping activities are expected to report a 2006 net profit of around 0.91.0 bln usd after gains on sale of ships.
Overall, gains on the sale of ships and other assets, are expected to reach some 0.7 bln usd for 2006, compared with 0.3 bln usd in 2005.
The oil and gas business area is expected to report a 2006 net profit of around 1.7 bln usd.
The AP Moeller-Maersk group's share of results for retailing activities is expected to be somewhat above that of 2005, and for its other activities -- including its share in Danske Bank AS -- a result slightly above 2005 is also anticipated.
However, it added that the result is still sensitive to changes in freight rates and volumes as well as in oil prices and exchange rates in the remainder of the year.
In the first nine months of the year, container freight rates were around 6 pct lower than the year before.
In the second half of 2006, the transported volumes are expected to increase by some 10 pct compared to the first half of the year, primarily due to seasonal development.
AP Moeller-Maersk also said that fuel expenses were 35 pct higher per tonne for the first nine months compared to the same period last year.
The container shipping business is expected to report a net loss in the region of 0.6 bln usd for 2006 after gains on sale of ships and after integration costs related to the acquisition of P&O Nedlloyd.
It said integration costs in 2006 are now expected to be well below the previously expected 180 mln usd.
Tankers, offshore and other shipping activities are expected to report a 2006 net profit of around 0.91.0 bln usd after gains on sale of ships.
Overall, gains on the sale of ships and other assets, are expected to reach some 0.7 bln usd for 2006, compared with 0.3 bln usd in 2005.
The oil and gas business area is expected to report a 2006 net profit of around 1.7 bln usd.
The AP Moeller-Maersk group's share of results for retailing activities is expected to be somewhat above that of 2005, and for its other activities -- including its share in Danske Bank AS -- a result slightly above 2005 is also anticipated.