Konecranes reports strong port equipment deliveries despite order slowdown

Finnish lifting equipment manufacturer Konecranes reported a strong recovery in port equipment deliveries during the third quarter of 2026, although new orders in its Port Solutions business declined significantly compared with the previous year.

According to its interim financial report published on October 23, the company’s Port Solutions division recorded net sales of €420 million during July–September, representing an increase of 28.3% in comparable currencies.

However, order intake in the division declined by 36.7% in comparable currencies to €288 million, reflecting volatility in the timing of customer orders.

Despite the decline in new orders, the division’s comparable EBITA margin improved to 12.0%, compared with 11.8% in the corresponding period of 2025, supported primarily by higher delivery volumes.

Konecranes said customer activity remained strong across its port equipment product lines, while the timing of new orders was unfavourable during the quarter.

Port equipment deliveries support quarterly performance

The contrasting performance between orders and sales highlights the impact of project timing on the company’s port equipment business.

While Port Solutions experienced a significant reduction in quarterly order intake, deliveries accelerated, contributing to stronger revenue and improved profitability.

CEO Marko Tulokas said the company’s third-quarter performance benefited from solid delivery execution, particularly within Port Solutions.

The company also indicated that its Port Solutions order book remained approximately at the same level as a year earlier, despite the decline in quarterly orders.

At group level, Konecranes reported third-quarter net sales of €1.10 billion, up 11.4% year-on-year, while total order intake decreased by 12.0% to €1.01 billion.

Comparable EBITA increased to €172.2 million from €164.9 million, although the corresponding margin declined to 15.6% from 16.7%.

For the first nine months of 2026, the group’s order intake reached €3.32 billion, while its order book increased by 8.0% to €3.30 billion.

Container handling outlook remains positive

Looking ahead, Konecranes maintained a positive long-term assessment of container handling activity, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding international trade and geopolitical developments.

The company noted that container throughput remained at elevated levels, supporting the longer-term prospects for demand in port equipment and container handling.

However, Konecranes acknowledged that geopolitical uncertainty and trade policy tensions continued to affect the operating environment.

The company reiterated its full-year 2026 financial guidance, expecting net sales to remain approximately unchanged or increase compared with 2025.

It also expects its comparable EBITA margin to remain approximately at the previous year’s level.

The results come as Konecranes continues implementing its updated strategy, announced in September, focusing on profitable growth, technological development and expanding its presence across existing business areas.

For port operators, the company’s latest results indicate continued equipment deliveries and an active customer pipeline, although the timing of new investment commitments remains uneven.

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