U.S. to Remain Key Driver for Growth, Says Largest Shipping Line

A.P. Moeller-Maersk A/S, owner of the world’s largest shipping line, said the United States will continue to be an important driver for growth, even as emerging markets show potential, Bloomberg News reported.

“Our expectation remains that the U.S. will be the key driver of growth, but we’re also relatively optimistic on emerging markets. There is growth potential, even if we have a temporary setback in commodity prices,” Maersk CEO Nils Smedegaard Andersen said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Andersen said rising household wealth, which supportis demand for imports being shipped, is a factor behind emerging market growth.

“We still believe that the U.S. will be a positive story for the coming years, in the short-term supported by more consumption following real estate prices going up and deleveraging taking place,” he said.

Last week, Maersk raised its container-shipping earnings forecast after second-quarter profit almost doubled, according to Bloomberg.