BERLIN, March 26 (Reuters) - German shipping company

Hapag-Lloyd ( HLAGF ) is incurring additional costs of $40

million to $50 million per week due to the ongoing conflict in

the Middle East, a burden described as "not sustainable for a

long time" by Chief Executive Rolf Habben Jansen on Thursday.

Speaking at an online press conference, Habben Jansen said the

company was grappling with "a big challenge" as six of its

vessels, with 150 crew members, remain stranded in the Persian

Gulf.

He confirmed that the crews are being supplied with food and

water and efforts are underway to secure the ships' release.

2026 OUTLOOK UNCHANGED AMID CHALLENGES

Despite the disruption, Hapag-Lloyd ( HLAGF ) reaffirmed its 2026

full-year forecast, with Habben Jansen expressing confidence in

balancing out the added expenses in the months ahead.

The company projects earnings before interest, tax,

depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) between $1.1 billion and

$3.1 billion. The outlook for earnings before interest and tax

(EBIT) spans from a loss of $1.5 billion to a profit of $0.5

billion.

Habben Jansen warned of potential longer-term repercussions from

the conflict, particularly if it weakens demand.

In response, Hapag-Lloyd ( HLAGF ) has intensified cost-saving measures

and is leveraging synergies from its cooperation with Maersk

.

The six stranded ships remain affected by the closure of the

Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that has been

off-limits to commercial shipping since late February following

escalated U.S.-Israeli and Iranian hostilities.