KUCHING: Firmer shipping freight rates and increased cargo volumes have bolstered Harbour-Link Group Bhd
’s earnings with revenue crossing the RM1bil mark.
The recent tariff policies imposed by the Trump administration on US trading partners have not had any material impact on the company’s operations, according to the Bintulu-based shipping and logistics provider.
Harbour-Link provides container shipping liner services within Malaysia and the intra-Asian markets.
For the financial year ended June 30, 2025 (FY25), Harbour-Link’s net profit rose 28% to RM136.72mil from RM106.6mil in 2024, in tandem with revenue growth of 13% (RM122mil) to RM1.06bil from RM941.6mil.
Earnings per share increased to 29.15 sen from 21.62 sen.
Year-on-year, the shipping and marine segment delivered impressive results, with after-tax profit soaring 64% to RM107.3mil from RM65.4mil, while revenue climbed 16% to RM637.2mil from RM547.7mil.
The sharp increase in annual profits was due to higher freight rates and additional cargo tonnage carried, according to Harbour-Link.
Chairman and group managing director Datuk Yong Piaw Soon had earlier anticipated ocean freight and shipping charges to weaken due to a capacity influx on the group’s inter-Asian routes from competitors, as well as the broader global economic slowdown driven by China’s weaker performance.
In the previous annual report, the company noted it had been facing stiff competition from major liners, which had led to weaker freight rates in the market.
However, the market situation has since improved, and Harbour-Link now foresees its container shipping operations continuing to demonstrate resilience, maintaining stable performance with freight rates holding relatively steady.
The company is confident of achieving a satisfactory performance heading toward the year-end.
Harbour-Link operates a fleet of 12 container vessels, which Yong described as the ideal fleet size to meet current demand in its niche market, allowing for a high utilisation rate.
The group has operational offices in every calling port in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong and China.
Harbour-Link has been modernising its shipping fleet, and had acquired two container vessels to replace ageing ships in FY25.
“Looking ahead, we are progressively modernising our fleet by replacing ageing vessels with newer, more efficient models.
“This initiative not only enhances operational efficiency and reduces repair and maintenance costs, but also ensures compliance with environmental, social and governance standards, reinforcing our commitment to responsible and sustainable growth.” said the company.
It added that its shipping agency and logistics services division had also performed well, handling and transporting consistent cargo volumes through major Malaysian ports.
Another Sarawak-based shipping company, Shin Yang Group Bhd, reported a sharp increase in operational profit to RM112.7mil for the financial year ended June 30, 2025 (FY25), up from RM89.6mil in FY24, as revenue expanded to RM703.1mil from RM694.6mil.
In the fourth quarter of FY25 (4Q25), operational profit surged 48.8% to RM36.6mil from RM24.6mil in 4Q24, driven by strong load factors and higher container cargo volumes.
Shin Yang plans to expand its investments in container depots, haulage services and warehousing facilities to meet rising demand for integrated logistics solutions and to capitalise on emerging business opportunities.
“We remain confident in the stability of our domestic, coastal and container shipping operations, underpinned by consistent container volumes.
“To capitalise on emerging opportunities, the group is actively enhancing operational efficiency, fleet management, and route optimisation,” it added.
Shin Yang operates container shipping services between ports in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah, as well as on the Sarawak-Singapore route.
