Hutchison Ports has released its annual financial results for 2025, revealing a resilient operational performance despite a complex global economic environment. The division comprises the Group’s 80% interest in the Hutchison Ports group of companies and its 30.07% interest in the HPH Trust, which together handled a total of 90.1 million TEU in 2025. This throughput represents a 3% increase over the previous year, driven largely by export growth in mainland China and additional volumes from new facilities in Egypt.
Total reported revenue reached HK$48.895 billion (US$6.244bn), marking an 8% increase compared to 2024 results in both reported and local currencies. In the Chairman’s Statement, signed off by Victor T K Li, the group noted that the “Global economic and geopolitical environment remained challenging in 2025” due to slower growth in some major economies. The statement highlighted that “persistent and increasing geopolitical tensions” have created a volatile trade environment across major international shipping routes. Despite these pressures, the group’s diversified geographic spread helped mitigate adverse developments and delivered growth across its port network.
Geopolitical pressures and asset disposition
Geopolitical friction has directly impacted operations, particularly regarding the group’s container terminal interests within the Central American region. Chairman Li stated that “geopolitical pressure has led to a meaningful legal conflict with the Panamanian State relating to the Group’s container terminal operations there”. This situation has “also complicated ongoing discussions with potential counterparties” regarding future capital and asset structures. These discussions involve “possible new arrangements for the disposition of interests in the Group’s global port operations outside of Panama, Hong Kong and the Mainland”.
The wider CK Hutchison Group underwent significant restructuring during the year, including the completion of the merger between its UK telecommunications business and Vodafone UK. Additionally, the group announced the sale of its 100% interest in UK Power Networks to Engie S.A. in early 2026 to generate significant cash flow. These moves reflect a strategic shift in capital allocation, yet the ports division remains a core contributor to total earnings. The division benefited from “robust growth” and “favourable performance” across key international regions such as Asia and Mexico during the year.
Operational performance and storage income
The 3% volume growth was characterised by a mix of 66% local and 34% transhipment cargo across the global network. While mainland China and Asia ports saw strong outbound shipments, Hong Kong experienced lower transhipment volumes due to changing trade patterns. Revenue growth was further bolstered by a 17% increase in storage income, which came primarily from terminals in Mexico and Europe. These results helped offset lower contributions from the shipping line business, as market freight rates declined throughout the 2025 calendar year.
European ports saw a slight decrease in volume due to service reshuffling by shipping alliances, but congestion at Mediterranean ports led to longer dwelling times. This increased storage revenue for the division, while the new facility at Abu Qir in Egypt contributed additional volume to the Middle East segment. The group expects further growth in 2026 as the Sokhna port in Egypt begins operations with four additional berths (WorldCargo News reported equipment arrivals in July last year). The total number of berths remained stable at 295, with gains in Saudi Arabia offset by the return of concessions in Iraq.
https://www.worldcargonews.com/automated-equipment/2025/07/red-sea-container-terminal-receives-first-cranes/
Regional performance breakdown
HPH Trust (Hong Kong and Yantian)
Total revenue for the HPH Trust increased by 1%, with EBITDA rising 2% and EBIT growing 4% year-on-year. This performance was underpinned by a 3% increase in throughput, largely driven by strong outbound cargo volumes from Yantian to European markets. These gains were sufficient to mitigate a decline in transhipment volumes in Hong Kong, where effective cost management helped maintain profitability margins.
Chinese Mainland and Other Hong Kong
This segment reported a 9% increase in revenue and a 7% rise in EBITDA. Growth was primarily fueled by strong throughput in Shanghai, supported by robust outbound shipments across various trade lanes. Notable increases were recorded in trades connecting to Intra-Asia, Africa, and South America, reflecting the resilience of mainland export activity.
Europe
Revenue in the Europe segment grew by 13%, while EBITDA and EBIT rose by 17% and 19%, respectively. Although throughput dropped by 1% due to service reshuffling by shipping alliances (which affected Felixstowe in the UK), financial performance was boosted by significantly higher storage income. This was caused by longer container dwelling times resulting from congestion at various Mediterranean port facilities.
Asia, Australia and Others
Revenue in this diverse segment improved by 7%, with EBITDA rising 15%. A key driver was increased storage income in Mexico, following more extensive customs inspection requirements. Overall volume grew by 3%, with strong contributions from Pakistan and Thailand. The group anticipates further volume increases in 2026 following the commencement of operations at the new Sokhna facility in Egypt.
Progress in decarbonisation
Environmental sustainability remains a primary focus for the division, with carbon intensity decreasing by 9% and diesel consumption per TEU falling by 7%. These improvements were achieved through the acceleration of equipment electrification and the strategic phasing out of high-emission machinery across major terminals. Furthermore, Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions have been reduced by 23% compared to the 2021 baseline through integrated green initiatives. The group continues to invest in cleaner alternatives to improve overall efficiency and meet its long-term climate goals.
Renewable energy now accounts for approximately 45% of the division’s total electricity consumption, managed through Power Purchase Agreements and Energy Attribute Certificates. On-site solar installations are also being expanded, with terminals in Myanmar and Pakistan installing 1.4MW of solar panel capacity during 2025. These integrated initiatives are part of a broader commitment to decarbonisation as the group aims to increase clean energy generation globally.