* Maersk lifts outlook for second time this year

* Second-quarter earnings beat forecasts

* Middle East disruptions and robust demand lifted freight

rates

* Analysts warn current market strength may fade if Red Sea

traffic normalises

(Adds outlook in paragraph 4 and graphics)

By Stine Jacobsen

COPENHAGEN, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Danish shipping group Maersk

on Thursday smashed profit forecasts and raised its

full-year earnings guidance for a second time this year as the

Middle East conflict and strong demand pushed freight rates

higher.

Maersk's profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and

amortisation (EBITDA) for April to June stood at $3.0 billion,

against a median forecast of $2.12 billion in a company-provided

poll of 11 analysts, up from $2.30 billion a year ago.

Maersk, a bellwether for global trade given its position as

the world's second-largest container shipper, in June raised its

outlook on the back of strong demand, particularly in Asia, and

said it expected global container market growth of around 4%

this year.

The company now expects underlying EBITDA of between $10.5

billion and $12.5 billion, up from a previous $8 billion to $10

billion, and underlying operating profit between $4.5 billion

and $6.5 billion, up from a previous $2 billion to $4 billion.

The shipping giant has seen rising profits from turbulence

in global trade that pushed up freight rates, including the

U.S.-Iran war, which disrupted traffic through the Strait of

Hormuz, and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Some analysts have cautioned the recent strength in the

freight market is a short-term tailwind masking bigger risks

ahead, and that any normalisation of Red Sea traffic would put

significant downward pressure on freight rates.

The Asia-Europe trade corridor through the Suez Canal was

abandoned by most shippers earlier this decade after attacks in

the Red Sea by Yemen's Houthis, forcing ships to sail around

Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

The longer journeys around Africa drove up shipping rates,

making freight more expensive, but Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd ( HLAGF ) in

recent months announced that they would resume some services

through the Suez Canal as part of a gradual return.