According to regulatory filings released Thursday, operating profit jumped about 52 percent to 354.1 billion won ($248.7 million) and revenue surged about 30 percent to 3.40 trillion won, as peak-season demand arrived early from late May.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index averaged 1,957 points in the first half, about 15% above a year earlier.
As for the first half of 2026, operating profit through June came to 623.2 billion won, down from 847.1 billion won a year earlier, while revenue climbed about 12 percent to 6.12 trillion won as higher freight rates cushioned the blow, the Busan-based company said.
"Even amid uncertain market conditions, we have built a resilient earnings structure capable of generating consistent results," HMM said, crediting fuel-cost optimization after the outbreak of the Middle East conflict and a hub-and-spoke strategy that squeezed more efficiency from its fleet.
The carrier struck a cautious note on the second half, warning that U.S. tariffs, congestion at the Panama Canal and major ports, and the lingering Middle East war would keep supply-chain risks elevated.
It poured about 10 trillion won into ships and infrastructure over the 15 months to mid-2026, and last month lifted its 2030 investment blueprint to about 29 trillion won.
That bet reflects a strategic pivot rather than mere expansion, HMM said, as it seeks to lock in relatively cheap vessels now to maximize future returns and cement its ascent toward the ranks of the world's top-tier carriers.
Shares of HMM closed 21,050 won per stock, 1.41 percent lower than the day before.
AJP Takeaways
• HMM's second-quarter 2026 operating profit rose about 52% year-on-year to 354.1 billion won, driven by an early peak season and a first-half Shanghai Containerized Freight Index averaging 1,957 points, about 15% higher than a year earlier.
• HMM reported first-half 2026 operating profit of 623.2 billion won on August 13, 2026, down about 26% from a year earlier, as a Middle East war raised fuel and voyage costs despite a 12% rise in revenue to 6.12 trillion won.
• HMM in July 2026 raised its mid-to-long-term investment plan through 2030 to about 29 trillion won (about $19.8 billion), targeting a combined container and bulk fleet of 276 vessels under a hub-and-spoke strategy.
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