COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Shipping company Maersk on Wednesday said global container demand is expected to remain positive in the coming quarters, though likely growing at a slower pace, while it also warning that substantial risks persisted.

The Danish company also confirmed preliminary second-quarter earnings released last week when it raised its outlook for the third time since May, citing higher freight rates due to the Red Sea crisis and solid container shipping demand.

"A healthy, albeit cooling labour market, and wage gains are expected to continue to support U.S. consumers. Declining consumer confidence and savings, however, are clouds at the horizon," Maersk said in its earnings report.