AP Moller-Maersk's share price has gained 30% so far this year and Clarksons Platou Securities doesn't expect it to go much higher.

That's why analyst Frode Morkedal said he downgraded the Copenhagen-listed shipping giant's shares to "neutral".

His $1,700 target price for the shares offers just a 5.1% premium on today's share price of DKK 11,550 ($1,620), too narrow an upside to keep its "buy" rating at the investment bank, a subsidiary of shipbroking giant Clarksons.

Frode Morkedal

Morkedal (picured) told clients today that the Maersk Group shares his view that the containership market is improving, which had been a key factor underpinning his previously bullish rating.

But