Nordea is projecting a significant uptick in shipping finance activity for the second half of 2026, even as its existing loan portfolio showed resilience in the second quarter.
The bank’s shipping book remained broadly stable at €4.53 billion, a marginal decline from €4.58 billion at the end of the first quarter, signaling that lenders are maintaining exposure despite ongoing geopolitical headwinds in key trade corridors.
Thor-Erik Bech, Nordea’s global head of shipping, indicated that the bank anticipates strong demand for financing in the coming months.
This outlook suggests that shipowners and operators are continuing to seek capital for fleet expansion or refinancing, likely driven by sustained freight rates and the strategic need to navigate complex route exposures.
The stability of the loan book implies that credit quality remains intact, with no major defaults or write-offs disrupting the portfolio during the quarter.
The bank’s confidence comes as Nordic shipping equities have delivered exceptional returns in the first half of 2026, outperforming benchmark indices by 45.5%.