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Tag: DFDS | Ferry Shipping News

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).
May 30
3

DFDS Completes First Sailing Between Spain and the Netherlands

By | 2025 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments
  • DFDS has launched a new weekly short-sea freight route between the Netherlands and Spain.
  • The service departs from Matrans Terminal (Rotterdam), calls at DFDS’s Vlaardingen terminal, and arrives at P&J Carrasco terminal (Vilagarcía de Arousa).
  • The new corridor strengthens multimodal transport between Southern and Central Europe.

Key Facts

  • First sailing: BELGIA SEAWAYS departed Rotterdam on a Saturday and arrived in Spain early Tuesday.
  • Capacity: 2,660 lane metres.
  • Suitable for unaccompanied trailers, containers, and out-of-gauge cargo.
  • Sectors: Automotive, wind, battery, FMCG, and process industries.

Strategic Impact

  • Supports emissions reduction by shifting freight from road to sea.
  • Enhances connections with the UK, Scandinavia and mainland Europe.
  • Integrated into DFDS’s wider European network.

New Collaboration

  • DFDS has signed a new cooperation agreement with Hydro, the global aluminium and energy company.
May 23
3

DFDS and Volvo Trucks Shift to Night Logistics at Port of Antwerp

By | 2025 Newsletter week 21 | No Comments

DFDS and Volvo Trucks have moved container flows between Ghent and the port of Antwerp from day to night. The focus is on emission-free logistics using electric trucks.

Key Facts:

  • Since October 2024, DFDS has transported spare parts containers for Volvo Trucks during the night.
  • The cargo moves between Volvo’s Ghent distribution centre and Antwerp’s deep-sea terminals.
  • DFDS uses heavy electric trucks.
  • Around 150 containers per month are now moved at night.

Why Night Logistics?

  • Less congestion: Fewer delays and more reliable deliveries.
  • Better use of infrastructure: Roads and terminals are less busy at night.
  • Increased truck utilisation: Vehicles run more efficiently.
  • Smoother planning: Admin tasks during the day support night operations.

Read more: Newsroom Port of Antwerp Bruges