APM Terminals Aarhus sets new record in container moves

On Thursday, 8 August, A.P. Moller-Maersk presented its financial results for the second half of 2025. Within APM Terminals, the independent port division, the headline was solid growth across its global portfolio of 60 terminals, in spite of a volatile global market.

“This quarter has truly demonstrated that flexibility and reliability are key priorities for our customers. It’s important for them to be able to adapt to market fluctuations, and that’s why – as a port operator – it’s crucial for us to stay close to our customers, offering advice based on our expertise and working together to find solutions where needed,” said Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals.

Bringing success to Aarhus

Flexibility and a solution-oriented approach have been central at APM Terminals Aarhus, which has recorded a new high in the number of containers handled at the container terminal. In addition to an increase in port calls during the first half of 2025, July saw a total of 49,405 container moves. The majority of these containers are destined for Danish consumers or exported globally by local producers, while a smaller portion is transhipped via Aarhus to destinations such as the North Atlantic and the Baltics.

This high volume of container moves marks a significant milestone for APM Terminals, effectively surpassing the previous record set during the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2022, when booming online trade led to 42,644 containers being moved across the quay. Much has changed since then.

“Naturally, we’re pleased to break a record, but what’s even more important is that the situation at the port today is entirely different from back then, when supply chains were under extreme pressure and both consumers and customers faced bottlenecks and delays. Today, we have a smooth flow through the terminal and are able to manage increasing volumes,” said Mikael Gutman, CEO of APM Terminals Nordic, speaking from the quay in Aarhus on Thursday.

Concrete initiatives in operations and collaboration with staff have led to improved container handling. This is Aarhus’ formula for managing rising volumes in a volatile market. “We’ve consistently reinvested 75 percent of our returns back into the terminal, and we’ve placed a strong focus on how we can find solutions together with our employees,” explained Mikael Gutman.  “As part of our company culture, we believe that the right balance between operations and relationships is essential. Our employees are the experts when it comes to finding everyday solutions.”

“This includes holding workshops with customers, warehouse operators, staff, and management, where we focus on problem-solving and process optimisation. For example, we’ve worked to reduce waiting times for truck drivers through automated gates and improved workflows—especially for those who typically spend the most time at the terminal. The results have been very clear,” Gutman concluded.

In addition to shorter operational times, APM Terminals Aarhus has enhanced its customer service and extended its opening hours. Locally, APM Terminals also runs its own leadership academy, aimed at supporting future leaders, promoting knowledge sharing and providing inspiration and coaching within the organisation.