While AP Møller Maersk has said that it is looking into several options ahead of its structural review in September, 2016, the company has said that it is exploring a two-way split into a transport and energy company, with Maersk Energy including Maersk Oil and Maersk Drilling, while Maersk Transport would include Maersk Line and APM Terminals (APMT), according to Bloomberg.
Louise Muenter, Head of Media and Stakeholder Relations at Maersk, said: “As our chairman previously has said, we want to evaluate all options.
“The structure of the group is one of many options being evaluated, but it is important to point out that it is one of many possibilities, as structure alone doesn’t ensure growth.”
PTI previously reported that although Maersk are not expected to divest, it is, at this time, unclear whether the company will be looking to sell APMT and Damco.
The news came after Maersk’s financial results came in for Q2, 2016 in which the company saw a loss of almost US$1 billion.
Shipping lines are scrambling to save on costs, and while they have become better at doing this, there is still an expectation that revenue will not be enough to offset costs.
Maersk has also issued a major world trade warning, in which it voiced concerns that a potential shift in US policy could reduce global trade. This is in line with Drewry's recent analysis that although carriers have grown accustomed to a mis-match in supply and demand, the balancing act has been much more difficult to accomplish.
