Core earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $406m represents 10.1% of the $4bn total revenue, a healthy margin for the container sector. First quarter profits in 2014 were significantly lower at $97m.
Fleet capacity growth did outpace volume increases, as the fleet grew by 13.4% in the year to 1.7m teu and volumes were up 10.5% to 3.1m teu.
The company noted that volume growth was particularly strong on the routes to and from the US on East-West trades, and that overall growth was boosted by the Ocean Three Alliance's launch.
The line's orderbook currently contains five 17,700 teu vessels, six 9,400 teu ships and a trio of 2,100 teu vessels for delivery this year, as well as three 20,600 teu ships due for delivery from 2016.
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