Tag: DFDS | Ferry Shipping News

Ferry – freight:

• Total volumes0m lane metres were 1.2% above 2024 and 0.4% lower adjusted for route changes. The full-year growth rates were -0.1% and -1.8%, respectively.
• North Sea volumes were above 2024 driven by higher volumes on most routes. Mediterranean volumes were as expected below 2024 due to capacity reductions.
• Channel volumes were above 2024 driven by the new Jersey volumes as the total Dover Strait volumes were on level with 2024.
• Baltic Sea volumes were just below 2024.
• Strait of Gibraltar volumes were above 2024.

In 2025, the total transported freight lane metres decreased 0.1% to 41.5m from 41.5m in 2024 and decreased 1.8% adjusted for route changes.

Ferry – passenger:

• The December decrease was mainly due to lower volumes on Strait of Gibraltar.
• The number of cars in December was on level with 2024 adjusted for route changes.

In 2025, the total number of passengers decreased 21.1% to 5.2m compared to 6.6m in 2024. The decrease was 4.4% adjusted for route changes.

Source: click on table below to access the DFDS website

DFDS has appointed Michael Hansen as President & CEO, effective no later than 1 July 2026. He succeeds Torben Carlsen, who is expected to step down on the same date.

Board perspective

Chair Claus V. Hemmingsen said the short-term priority is to improve financial performance, while the longer-term focus remains on unlocking network value through operational optimisation and organic growth, building on DFDS’ customer offering, service levels and people.

Background and mandate

Michael Hansen is a global executive with extensive leadership experience in shipping, transport, and industrial businesses. As President & CEO of Hempel, he has led a strategic transformation that has lifted financial performance, strengthened cash flow, and improved operational scalability. Prior to Hempel, he spent nearly two decades with A.P. Moller – Maersk, holding senior management roles across Europe, Latin America, and Oceania, including CEO of Seago Line and Global Head of Sales for Maersk Line.

DFDS has appointed Rémi Liger-Belair as Managing Director for France and Route Director of the Dieppe–Newhaven service

Liger-Belair succeeds Etienne Melliani and will oversee both commercial and operational performance of one of the Channel’s oldest ferry routes.

Originally from Caen, he returns to Normandy after an international career spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Based in Dieppe, Liger-Belair will also represent DFDS nationally, including engagement with French authorities, shipping associations and labour partners.

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.

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.

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).