Kuehne+Nagel reports strong first quarter as sea and air units lift earnings

SWITZERLAND – Kuehne+Nagel has posted a strong start to 2025, reporting a nine percent rise in earnings to CHF 303 million (US$364.78 million) for the first quarter, up from CHF 278 million (US$334.77 million) in the same period last year.

The company’s net turnover jumped 15 percent to CHF 6.3 billion (US$7.59 billion), compared to CHF 5.5 billion (US$6.62 billion) a year ago. This growth came despite difficult global economic conditions.

“We increased our market share, gained new customers and also improved profitability,” said Stefan Paul, CEO of Kuehne+Nagel. “Despite the challenging global economic environment, the company achieved double-digit growth in net turnover. We remain well prepared and positioned to implement our strategic objectives.”

Kuehne+Nagel’s sea logistics business delivered strong results, with net turnover rising 30 percent year-over-year to CHF 2.5 billion (US$3.01 billion). Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) from the segment reached CHF 210 million ($252.99 million).

Container volume stood at one million TEU at the end of March, reflecting a three percent increase from the same period in 2024.

The company credited part of this growth to its January 2025 consolidation of US-based IMC Logistics. The merger has been beneficial to earnings from the start, the official statement said.

In the air logistics unit, net turnover rose by 13 percent to CHF 1.8 billion (US$2.17 billion). EBIT climbed 23 percent to CHF 116 million (US$139.76 million). The business handled 514,000 tonnes of freight in the quarter, five percent more than a year earlier.

The company said it gained market share in all industries, except for automotive, with strong growth noted in the semiconductor sector.

Additionally, Kuehne+Nagel opened two new temperature-controlled routes for healthcare cargo: one linking Brussels with Chicago, and another connecting Brussels and Singapore.

The group has also made several important moves to strengthen its operations around the world. On April 15, 2025, Kuehne+Nagel extended its partnership with Orange to manage e-commerce logistics in France, Poland, and Africa.

Earlier in April, it launched new direct line hauls between Türkiye and Europe within its groupage network to shorten delivery times.

On April 2, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Changan Automobile. The agreement focuses on developing logistics support for electric vehicle spare parts across Europe. This forms part of Kuehne+Nagel’s growing interest in the electric mobility sector.

At its Capital Markets Day on March 25, the company restated its aim to grow 1.5 times faster than the global GDP through 2030. Just a week earlier, on March 18, Kuehne+Nagel opened a new road logistics facility in Laredo, Texas, signaling its commitment to the North American market.

With a strong financial base and recent strategic actions, Kuehne+Nagel appears ready to continue expanding its footprint through 2025 and beyond.

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