Shares of Orient Overseas (International) Ltd (SEHK: 00316) advanced nearly 3% in late trading. At the time of writing, the stock was up 2.63% to HK$144.6, with a turnover of HK$164 million.

The company announced its second-quarter results, reporting revenue of $2.54 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 19.8%. Total cargo volume for the period reached 2.135 million TEUs, an 8.8% rise compared to the same period last year.

Capacity grew by 6.3% year-on-year, while the overall vessel utilization rate improved by 1.9 percentage points. The average freight revenue per TEU was $1,188, marking a 10.1% increase.

For the first half of the year, cumulative revenue reached $4.68 billion, up 5.5% year-on-year, with total cargo volume increasing by 5.2%.

Market attention is also focused on developments concerning Red Sea shipping routes. Earlier this month, major global carriers Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd indicated plans to resume some services via the Suez Canal under their jointly operated Gemini network. This news initially fueled expectations for a full resumption of routes, putting downward pressure on container shipping rates.

However, recent geopolitical tensions have introduced fresh uncertainty. Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen's Houthi forces to be prepared to block oil shipping routes through the Red Sea in response to potential U.S. strikes on Iranian power infrastructure. The feasibility of fully reopening the Red Sea corridor for shipping remains to be seen.