ZIM Integrated Shipping Services reported a robust first quarter for 2025, with earnings per share reaching $2.45 and revenue climbing to $2.01 billion, marking a 28% increase year-over-year. The company's performance exceeded analyst expectations, driven by a 12% growth in carried volume to 944,000 TEUs and a 22% rise in average freight rates per TEU to $1,776. ZIM also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.74 per share, reflecting strong financial health. The company's net profit for the quarter was $296 million, with an adjusted EBITDA of $779 million and operating income of $464 million. ZIM reaffirmed its full-year guidance, projecting adjusted EBITDA between $1.6 billion and $2.2 billion, and adjusted EBIT between $350 million and $950 million. The company's strategic investment in its fleet, with approximately 40% being LNG-fueled, positions it well for future growth. Global Ship Lease, another player in the shipping industry, also reported its first-quarter results, with adjusted earnings per share at $2.65 and revenue at $191 million. The company added $352 million to its backlog through new charter contracts, bringing the total to $1.87 billion, and increased its dividend to $0.525 per share. The shipping sector is experiencing a surge in demand, influenced by a 90-day hiatus in the China-US trade war. This has led to a significant increase in container freight spot rates on transpacific routes, with rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles and New York rising by 16% and 19% respectively. The industry is responding by upsizing vessels and adding capacity to meet the heightened demand.