FRANKFURT, March 20 (Reuters) - Container shipping liner

Hapag-Lloyd ( HLAGF ) on Thursday reported an 18.9% lower net

profit for 2024 and proposed a 11.4% cut in its divided versus

2023, citing lower interest income and higher tax expenses.

Key earnings figures for 2025 were expected to range below

those reported for 2024, said Chief Executive Rolf Habben

Jansen, attributing this to considerable uncertainty amid

volatile freight rates and major geopolitical changes.

"The economic and geopolitical environment remains fragile.

In this context, we anticipate earnings in 2025 to be lower than

in 2024," he said.

The company, which started a cooperation with rival Maersk

in February, would keep a close eye on unit costs

and develop its terminal business and onshore businesses in the

current year, he said.

Container shipping, a proxy for trade and a health measure

of the world economy, has been exposed to the ongoing Red Sea

crisis, where the Iran-backed Houthi militants launch attacks on

vessels.

The sector is now also grappling with the effects of tariffs

introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Net profit at Hapag-Lloyd ( HLAGF ) fell to 2.4 billion euros ($2.61

billion) in 2024 from 2.9 billion a year earlier. The dividend

proposal is 8.20 euros per share, down from 9.25 euros.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and

amortisation (EBITDA) for 2025 were forecast at between 2.4 and

3.9 billion euros, down from 4.6 billion euros in 2024. The

company reported preliminary earnings on January 30.

Earning before interest and taxes (EBIT) for 2025 were

forecast at between zero and 1.5 billion euros after 2.6 billion

posted in 2024.

Revenues in 2024 rose 6.7% to 19.1 billion euros on 5%

higher transport volumes and stable freight rates.

Hapag-Lloyd ( HLAGF ), with a fleet of 299 container vessels, is the

world's fifth largest shipping liner.

($1 = 0.9180 euros)