DFDS February volumes

March 15, 2024

Ferry – freight

  • Total volumes in February 2024 were 15.7% above 2023 and up 11.1% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes in 2024 and closure of the Calais-Tilbury route in 2023.
  • The month’s high organic growth reflects to some extent a relatively low activity level in February 2023.
  • North Sea volumes were above 2023 driven mainly by an uplift in volumes between the UK and the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark.
  • Mediterranean volumes were above 2023 as volumes picked up on all routes, especially between southern Türkiye and Italy.
  • Channel volumes were also in February above 2023 driven by the Dover Strait routes as well as higher volumes between Ireland and France.
  • Baltic Sea volumes also continued above 2023 despite reduction of capacity between Estonia and Sweden compared to 2023.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total transported freight lane metres decreased 4.9% to 39.2m from 41.3m in 2023-22. The decrease was 5.3% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes and the Calais-Tilbury route closure.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers in February 2024 were 69.9% above 2023 and up 16.0% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes.
  • The adjusted increase was driven by more Channel passengers while the number of passengers on other routes were below 2023.
  • The number of cars were 51.3% above 2023 and up 7.2% adjusted for Strait of Gibraltar.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total number of passengers increased 19.9% to 4.8m compared to 4.0m for 2023-22. The increase was 13.4% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes.