A.P. Møller-Mærsk returned a 2012 pre-tax profit of DKK 42.5 billion, 16 per cent lower than the 50.5 billion of 2011, according to the Group Annual Report published today.

The drop in profits came despite a six per cent increase in revenues to land on DKK342 billion.

After tax the result was at DKK 23.4 billion, or an increase of 29 per cent on 2011.

“We are satisfied with our result for the year. After a difficult start, Maersk Line improved its performance and the Group achieved a result above last year’s, both in terms of net result and in underlying performance,” says Group CEO Nils S. Andersen.

“We continued our push towards building our four strategic core businesses with investments and improved results in terminals, a high level of oil exploration in Maersk Oil, securing long term contracts for five of our seven new drilling rigs and significantly improved earnings in Maersk Line,” he added.

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