COSCO Shipping Holdings, the container shipping and port arm of China’s state-owned COSCO Group, reported steady profit growth in the first half of 2025, supported by rising cargo volumes and strong terminal throughput.
The company posted revenue of CNY 109.1 billion for the period, up 7.8 percent from CNY 101.2 billion in the same period of 2024. Net profit attributable to equity holders rose to CNY 17.5 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 percent.
Operating profit also strengthened, with earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) climbing to RMB 25.5 billion, a 3.4 percent gain, reflecting disciplined cost management and improved operational efficiency. The EBIT margin stood at 23.4 percent, underscoring the company’s resilience in a volatile market.
Container shipping activity remained robust, with volumes increasing by 6.6 percent to 13.3 million TEU. Terminal operations also performed strongly, with total throughput rising 6.4 percent to 74.3 million TEU during the first six months of the year.
Despite an 11 percent rise in service costs, COSCO was able to sustain profitability through efficiency gains and expanded handling capacity. The company also declared an interim dividend of CNY 0.56 per share and confirmed a share repurchase program, highlighting its confidence in long-term performance and commitment to rewarding shareholders.
Its subsidiary, COSCO Shipping Ports, delivered particularly strong results, with revenue climbing 13.6 percent to US$806 million and profit attributable to equity holders jumping 30.6 percent to US$181.8 million. The ports arm handled 74.3 million TEU in the first half, with equity throughput up 3.8 percent.
Analysts note that COSCO’s ability to maintain growth despite fluctuating freight rates and increased operating costs underscores the company’s competitive edge and strategic focus on efficiency and scale.
With trade routes stabilizing and container demand gradually recovering, COSCO Shipping Holdings appears positioned to sustain its momentum into the second half of 2025, though global market volatility remains a key challenge.
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