Wärtsilä sees ‘another solid quarter’ in Q3

From July to September 2026, Wärtsilä saw total net sales increase 7% to EUR 1,493 million (1,397) compared to the prior year period, with operating results up 4% to EUR 222 million (214), or 14.9% (15.3) of net sales. The combined Marine and Energy segments rose by 19% to EUR 1,492 million (1,252).

Total order intake leapt 33% to EUR 2,368 million (1,779), with Marine and Energy seeing orders jump 47% to EUR 2,368 million (1,614). Service order intake also increased by 11% to EUR 950 million (854).

Håkan Agnevall, president and CEO, said the third quarter of 2026 representated “another solid quarter for Wärtsilä, characterized by continued strong momentum in order intake.” He cited resilient global economic growth despite higher energy prices, changing trade policies and persistent geopolitical uncertainty continuing to weigh on the global economic outlook.

(Photo: Wärtsilä)

Agnevall went on to cite factors supporting the energy market. “The International Energy Agency expects electricity demand to grow at least 2.5 times faster than overall energy demand between 2026 and 2030, driving demand for new power generating capacity.” He also pointed to the favorable economics of wind and solar to advance the global energy transition, as well as strong interest from the data center segment “with a dynamic pipeline of opportunities.”

The marine market remained solid in the face of a weaker near-term economic outlook and uncertainty stemming from geopolitical disruptions, particularly in the Middle East.

“Supported by positive market sentiment and an aging global fleet, newbuild investment was very strong during the first nine months of 2026,” said Agnevall. “According to Clarksons Research, a total of 2,552 newbuild contracts were reported, compared with 1,200 in the corresponding period of 2025, excluding late reporting.

“Wärtsilä is well positioned to support customers through its newbuild solutions and lifecycle services,” he added.

Year to date (January to September), the company saw stable total net sales of EUR 4,497 million (4,424), with net sales for Marine and Energy up 9% to EUR 4,239 million (3,844). Operating results also showed a 9% rise to EUR 621 million (468), representing 13.8% (12.8) of net sales.

Total order intake grew 26% to EUR 7,302 million (5,790). Order intake for Marine and Energy climbed 40% to EUR 7,178 million (5,120) and service order intake remained stable at EUR 2,799 million (2,765).

12-month outlook

Wärtsilä announced that its Board of Directors has approved new financial targets that reflect the company’s strengthened financial performance, attractive structural growth opportunities and ambition to accelerate value creation.

“Wärtsilä has transformed significantly over the past years and has reached its previous financial targets,” said Agnevall. “Today, we are a more focused and more profitable company, operating in markets where the structural demand drivers create attractive opportunities for profitable growth. Our new financial targets reflect both the progress we have already made and the significant potential we see ahead of us.”

Financial targets for the group include an annual organic net sales growth in the low double-digit percent, with operating results of 16%. The Marine segment is expected to achieve organic net sales growth in the mid-single digit percentile with a 14% operating result, while Energy is projected to reach growth in the high teen percentile with 18% operating result.

“We expect the demand environment over the next 12 months to remain at a similar level in both Energy and Marine to that of the past 12 months. The outlook reflects a continued strong demand environment, supported by structural shift especially in Energy,” Agnevall stated.

“With our global team of dedicated professionals, we remain focused on helping our customers to succeed as the marine and energy markets evolve,” he continued. “Our technology leadership, lifecycle offering and strong market positions enable us to respond to changing customer needs and continue pursuing opportunities for long-term value creation.”