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Tag: DFDS | Ferry Shipping News

Dec 19
3

DFDS and CLdN Extend Zeebrugge–Gothenburg Space Charter Agreement

By | 2025 Newsletter week 51 | No Comments

DFDS and CLdN have agreed to extend their space charter agreement on the Zeebrugge–Gothenburg route by five years.

CLdN announed the increase of freight capacity by adding one of the 8,000 lane metre “G9” ships.

Key points:

  • Five-year extension of the existing space charter agreement.
  • Increased freight capacity through additional lane metres (by using one of the 8,000 lane metre CLdN vessels LEONINE of CHAUMINE)
  • Four weekly sailings in each direction between Zeebrugge and Gothenburg.
  • Two freight vessels operated jointly on the route.
  • Capacity shared, with commercial activities remaining fully separate.
Dec 12
3

DFDS November Statistics: Soft Freight and Passenger Volumes

By | 2025 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

DFDS reported softer freight and passenger volumes for November 2025, according to Investor News no. 39, published on 12 December.

Ferry – freight

  • Total volumes in November 2025 of 3.6m lane metres were 1.8% below 2024 and 3.8% lower adjusted for route changes. YTD growth rates were -0.4% and -1.8%, respectively.
  • North Sea volumes were below 2024 following soft volumes on most routes.
  • Mediter-ranean volumes were as expected below 2024 due to capacity reductions.
  • Channel volumes were on level with 2024 as the new Jersey volumes offset a slow-down in the total Dover Strait volumes. Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar volumes were both above 2024.

For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total transported freight lane metres increased 0.1% to 41.5m from 41.4m in 2024-23 and decreased 2.1% adjusted for route changes.

Ferry – passenger

  • The number of passengers in November 2025 was adjusted for route changes* down 10.5% to 195k vs 2024 and the adjusted YTD growth rate was -4.5%.
  • Higher passenger volumes in Strait of Gibraltar were offset by mainly lower Channel volumes.
  • The number of cars in November was 6.8% below 2024 adjusted for route changes.

For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total number of passengers decreased 19.7% to 5.3m compared to 6.6m for 2024-23. The decrease was 5.5% adjusted for route changes*.

 

*Adjusted for sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen end October 2025, exit from Tarifa-Tanger Ville early May 2025, and addition of Jersey routes from end March 2025.

Nov 06
3

DFDS Q3 of Transition Year 2025

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

Key figures

  • Revenue up 4% to DKK 8.3bn (organic growth -2%)
  • EBIT down 32% to DKK 536m
  • CO₂ ferry emission intensity lowered 2.7%

Outlook 2025

  • EBIT lowered to DKK 0.6–0.75bn (previously DKK 0.8–1.0bn, excl. one-off cost)
  • One-off cost of around DKK 100m in Q4 for Cost Reduction Programme
  • Adjusted free cash flow now expected around DKK 0.9bn (down from DKK 1.0bn)

CEO’s Comments
2025 is a transitional year for DFDS, setting the stage for stronger financial performance after a challenging 2024. A new Cost Reduction Programme targets DKK 300m savings in 2026.

Focus Areas

  • Logistics Boost: Progressed in line with expectations; further gains expected in Q4.
  • Mediterranean Network: New pricing model (launched Sept 2025) shows initial yield recovery.
  • Türkiye & Europe South: Improvement slower than expected amid tough markets.

Network Performance
Results outside the focus areas were solid and exceeded 2024 levels (adjusted for route changes).

  • North Sea: Stable freight operations.
  • Baltic Sea: Strong quarter; further improvement expected via new space charter.
  • Channel: Good performance despite extra costs for Jersey routes.
  • Strait of Gibraltar: On target; two additional ferries to join in 2026 (pending approval).
  • Logistics: Nordic and Continent units adapted to low growth; UK & Ireland remained stable.

Outlook Summary
EBIT outlook revised down due to uncertainty in Mediterranean ferry and logistics activities, plus one-off programme costs.

Read the DFDS Q3 2025 Interim Report here.

Nov 06
3

DFDS Launches Cost Reduction Programme To Strengthen Financial Performance

By | 2025 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

As outlined earlier this year, 2025 is a transitional year for DFDS, focused on laying the foundation for improved financial performance following the challenges of 2024.

To accelerate this transition, DFDS announced a Cost Reduction Programme targeting DKK 300m of savings in 2026.

The programme will deliver approximately DKK 300m in cost reductions in 2026, primarily through a reduction of around 400 office-based positions and additional efficiency measures across the organisation.

Implementation is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2026, with a one-off cost of around DKK 100m — mainly related to redundancies — to be recognised in Q4 2025.

Oct 10
3

September Volumes Show Mixed Picture for Freight

By | 2025 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments

DFDS reported September freight volumes of 3.5m lane metres, up 0.8% year-on-year but 1.2% lower when adjusted for route changes.

  • North Sea: Volumes remained stable across most routes, maintaining the same level as 2024.
  • Mediterranean: Declined due to a continued slowdown in Turkish automotive production and domestic demand, as well as reduced capacity on one route responding to market competition.
  • Channel: Increased, supported by the successful launch of the new Jersey routes.
  • Baltic Sea: Continued to perform above 2024 levels, sustaining positive growth.
  • Strait of Gibraltar: Also above 2024, contributing to overall resilience.

For the last twelve months (2025–24), total freight volumes rose 2.3% to 41.7m lane metres (up 1.2% when adjusted for route changes).

Passenger numbers, however, were weaker. In September, 392k passengers represented a 7.4% drop year-on-year (adjusted), with lower Channel traffic outweighing growth in the Baltic. Car volumes fell 5.7%, and total passenger numbers for the past year declined 14.5% to 5.5m (or 0.4% growth adjusted for route changes).

Sep 19
3

Autorité de la Concurrence Rejects Anticompetitive Complaint Against DFDS and P&O Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments
  • Background: France Manche SA and The Channel Tunnel Group Ltd (“Eurotunnel”) filed a complaint against DFDS and P&O Ferries.
  • Allegations: The two operators were accused of a capacity-sharing agreement on the Calais–Dover route, with a mechanism to rebalance capacity.
  • Legal Basis: Objection raised under Article 101 TFEU and Article L. 420-1 of the French Commercial Code.
  • Decision: The Autorité found no anticompetitive purpose in the agreement.
  • Key Findings:
    • Capacity could be shared proportionally and adjusted at any time.
    • Both operators retained incentives to optimise costs, improve services and remain price-competitive.

Conclusion: The Autorité de la Concurrence ruled that the arrangement did not restrict competition. [source]

Photo Mike Louagie

Aug 29
3

DFDS and TT-Line Enter Baltic Sea Space Charter Agreement

By | 2025 Newsletter week 35 | No Comments

DFDS and TT-Line have signed a mutual space charter agreement covering freight and passengers on Baltic Sea routes.

 Agreement Details

  • Covers the Karlshamn–Klaipeda RoPax route, currently operated by both companies.
  • Grants DFDS access to TT-Line capacity on Klaipeda–Trelleborg and Klaipeda–Travemünde.
  • Effective 1 October 2025 for freight on all routes (Travemünde is freight-only)
  • Effective 1 October 2025 for passengers on Karlshamn routes.
  • Effective 1 November 2025 for passengers on Trelleborg.

 

Benefits

  • Higher frequency and capacity across all routes.
  • Reduced emissions through optimised sailings.
  • Each operator maintains control of commercial activities and customer relations.

TT-Line Expansion

  • TT-Line will deploy NILS HOLGERSSON, one of its new LNG-powered Green RoPax ferries, on the Klaipeda routes (once a week).
Aug 22
3

DFDS Q2 Result Lowered by Mediterranean Headwinds

By | 2025 Newsletter week 34 | No Comments

Q2 2025

  • Revenue: DKK 7.8bn (+3%, organic –2%)
  • EBIT: DKK 163m (–69%)
  • Adjusted free cash flow: DKK 538m (–26%)
  • CO₂ ferry emission intensity: –4.1%

Outlook 2025

  • EBIT: DKK 0.8–1.0bn (previously ~DKK 1.0bn)
  • Revenue growth: ~5%
  • Adjusted free cash flow: ~DKK 1.0bn (unchanged)

CEO’s comments

  • Most of the network performed as expected.
  • Mediterranean remains the key earnings challenge.
  • Logistics Boost turnaround on track.
  • Türkiye & Europe South turnaround slower; breakeven may be delayed.

Geopolitics

  • New EU–USA trade deal sets a 15% tariff on EU exports to USA.
  • Short-term EU growth may be impacted.
  • Nearshoring expected to accelerate trade with Türkiye and Morocco, benefiting DFDS’s network.

Read the Q2 2025 interim report

Or click on this cover below for the full presentation:

Aug 22
3

DFDS July Volumes: Solid Freight Growth in Most Areas

By | 2025 Newsletter week 34 | No Comments

Q2 2025

  • Revenue: SEK 961.1m (604.1m)
  • Adjusted EBIT: –SEK 17.7m (27.3m)
  • Net result after tax: –SEK 53.6m (55.1m)
  • Passenger growth on Gotland routes: +8.1%
  • Go Nordic Cruiseline: 182,500 passengers

H1 2025

  • Revenue: SEK 1,569.7m (989.0m)
  • Adjusted EBIT: –SEK 195.1m (–39.4m)
  • Net result after tax: –SEK 278.8m (92.3m)
  • Destination Gotland: passengers +4.7% (690,400), freight lane metres +2.6% (374,300)
  • Go Nordic Cruiseline: 317,000 passengers, 31,000 vehicles

CEO’s comments

  • Stable performance in Gotland traffic with positive June passenger growth.
  • Go Nordic Cruiseline weighed on results due to launch and lower onboard revenues.
  • Biogas investment and LNG bunkering agreements move traffic towards lower emissions.
  • Gotland Horizon X under construction for delivery in H2 2028.
  • New partnership: Gotland Hotels with Strawberry – Visby hotel to become a Quality Hotel in 2026.

Dividend: SEK 20.30 per share (9.80).

Source: https://corporate.gotlandsbolaget.se/sv/ (in Swedish)

Jun 27
3

DFDS Marks 150 Years of Esbjerg–UK Route

By | 2025 Newsletter week 26 | No Comments
  • DFDS celebrates 150 years since the first Esbjerg–UK sailing in 1875.
  • The freight route handles over 100,000 trailers annually (1.5 million lane metres).
  • Originally carrying cattle, later Danish exports like bacon, butter, and eggs.
  • Passenger services ran from 1925 to 2014, but freight has always been core.
  • CEO Torben Carlsen: “The route is a symbol of enduring partnership between Denmark and the UK.”
  • Two vessels—ARK DANIA and ARK GERMANIA—offer six weekly departures to Immingham (18.5h crossing).