DFDS

DFDS will convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) following a request from its largest shareholder, Lauritzen Fonden Holding ApS, to elect two new Board members.

Former DFDS CEO Niels Smedegaard and Polaris Management Managing Partner Jan Johan Kühl will be proposed for election.

The move comes as DFDS embarks on a review of its future strategy. Lauritzen Fonden Holding believes that the development and subsequent execution of the new strategy should also be accompanied by a change of Chair.

Claus V. Hemmingsen will therefore step down from the Board in connection with the EGM. He has served on the DFDS Board since 2012 and as Chair since 2017.

Niels Smedegaard led DFDS as CEO from 2007 to 2019 and currently chairs several companies, including ISS, Falck and Nordic Ferry Infrastructure.

The EGM is expected to take place on 8 September 2026. Following the meeting, the Board is expected to elect a new Chair.

DFDS reported total ferry freight volumes of 3.5 million lane metres in June 2026, an increase of 3.3% compared with June 2025.

Growth was driven by stronger performances in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar networks. North Sea volumes benefited from higher traffic on most routes and a favourable comparison with June 2025, when a national strike in Sweden impacted volumes. In the Mediterranean, overall freight volumes were lower due to reduced capacity on certain routes, although growth continued on services to Egypt and Tunisia.

Channel volumes were slightly below the level recorded in June 2025.

Over the last twelve months, DFDS transported 41.9 million lane metres of freight, up 0.8% from 41.5 million lane metres in the previous twelve-month period. Adjusted for route changes, freight volumes decreased by 0.4%.

Passenger volumes declined in June. DFDS carried 413,000 passengers, down 8.0% compared with June 2025. The decrease was mainly attributed to fewer departures and lower traffic volumes on the Strait of Gibraltar routes and the Dover Strait.

For the last twelve months, passenger numbers totalled 5.0 million, a decrease of 17.7% compared with 6.1 million in the previous period. Adjusted for route changes, the decline was 5.3%.

DFDS reported total freight volumes of 3.6 million lane metres in May 2026, down 1.8% compared with May 2025, or 1.7% lower when adjusted for route changes.

North Sea and Baltic Sea routes performed above last year’s levels, while volumes on the Strait of Gibraltar also increased. Mediterranean volumes were lower overall, partly due to a higher number of public holidays in Türkiye. Growth continued on the Egypt and Tunisia services. Channel volumes declined, mainly due to lower traffic on the Dover Strait.

Over the last 12 months, DFDS transported 41.8 million lane metres, up 0.3% year-on-year, but down 1.5% adjusted for route changes.

Passenger numbers adjusted for route changes fell 1.9% to 443,000 in May. Lower volumes on the Strait of Gibraltar, linked to fewer departures, offset growth on Channel routes.

For the last 12 months, passenger volumes totalled 5.0 million, down 14.2% from 5.8 million in the previous period, or 5.0% lower when adjusted for route changes.

DFDS reported another month of solid freight performance, with April volumes increasing across most of its ferry network.

Freight Volumes Continue to Grow

In April 2026, DFDS transported 3.6 million lane metres of freight, up 2.0% compared with April 2025. Adjusted for route changes, growth was 1.9%.

Regional highlights included:

• North Sea volumes above last year, supported by stronger performance on several routes.
• Mediterranean volumes showing particularly strong growth, led by the Egypt and Tunisia services.
• Baltic Sea volumes well ahead of 2025.
• Strait of Gibraltar volumes also increased.
• Channel volumes were slightly below last year, broadly reflecting overall market trends on the Dover Strait.

Over the last twelve months, total freight volumes reached 41.8 million lane metres, an increase of 0.8%.

Passenger Volumes Affected by Easter Timing

Passenger numbers in April totalled 416,000, down 8.1% on a comparable basis. The decline was mainly due to Easter falling earlier this year, shifting part of the seasonal travel demand into March.

Operational issues also resulted in fewer departures on the Strait of Gibraltar.

Freight Business Demonstrates Resilience

Despite some seasonal effects in passenger traffic, DFDS continues to benefit from the strength and diversification of its freight network. Growth in key regions such as the Mediterranean and Baltic underscores the company’s ability to capture opportunities in dynamic markets.

With freight volumes rising and performance improving across most areas, DFDS remains well positioned to deliver steady progress in 2026.