A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S upgraded its profit outlook for this year, citing solid demand especially in Asia and a global container market that looks to stay healthy for the rest of the year.The Copenhagen-based company, the world’s No. 2 container carrier, made the announcement in a statement posted on its website late Monday. Ranges for both underlying EBITDA and EBIT were increased, topping analysts estimates, and free cash flow will also be better than previously expected, Maersk said.Container volume growth is now seen at about 4% globally this year, an improvement from Maersk’s previous expectation for an expansion ranging from 2% to 4%.Shipping lines are benefiting from a recent surge in spot container rates, as cargo owners look to book early amid disruptions ranging from violence in the Mideast to US tariff uncertainty. Ocean freight volumes typically pick up in July and August as retailers pad inventories for the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.Maersk’s brightened prospects align with comments CEO Vincent Clerc made to Bloomberg News last week in Vietnam.“It has been strong throughout the first half of the year, despite the war and the disruption to energy markets,” Clerc said in an interview in Haiphong, Vietnam. “For us, the expectation is that this in all likelihood right now looks like it’s set to continue into the rest of the year.”Maersk is scheduled to publish its second-quarter interim results on Aug. 13.