However, losses in shipping business for the combined first two quarters of 2012 show a $US700 million decline, as Maersk begins to implement increasing charges on most sea routes.
These charges, alongside rising road-user fees, were signalled to Otago manufacturers and exporters about three weeks ago.
Maersk is the dominant shipping line in New Zealand and its patronage of ports is crucial to their viability. Timaru's Prime-Port laid off about 50 staff when Maersk and Hamburg Sud withdrew services last month.
The second-quarter turnaround for the Maersk shipping line division, aside from its oil, terminals and oil and gas exploration drilling divisions, was credited to rate increases around the world in container trade, backed by a reduction in capacity, Maersk group chief executive Nils Andersen said in a statement.
"Container rates have been improved. Maersk Line is back in black figures and our other core growth businesses are executing well on strategy."
He revised the Maersk group's overall guidance upward for 2012, now expecting profit to be slightly above 2011's $US3.4billion, with cash flows at similar levels but capital expenditure lower than the $US9.7 billion spent in 2011.
Maersk signalled only three weeks ago that a series offurther price increases was in store for container users around the globe, scheduled to come into effect from about this week.
Mr Andersen said for the second quarter the average freight weight per FFE (forty foot equivalent container) increased by 4.2% to $US3014, while volume increased by 11% to 2.2 million FFEs.
Increasing fuel costs of 10% were offset by an 8% reduction in fuel consumed. In restructuring, 400 employees were lost.
Overall, for the first six months of the year, Maersk group revenue decreased from $US29.9 billion a year ago to $US29.7 billion, while profit declined 22%, down from $US2.7 billion to $US2.1 billion.
For the six-month period, the Maersk shipping line division made a $US400 million loss, compared to a $300 million profit a year ago.
