DFDS January Volumes: First Month Of The Year Impacted By Timing Of Dockings

By | 2025 Newsletter week 07 | No Comments

Ferry – freight

  • Total volumes in January 2025 of 3.3m lane metres were 1.4% below 2024.
  • North Sea volumes were below 2024 due to mainly lower automotive volumes.
  • Mediterranean volumes were below 2024 following increased competition in one corridor.
  • Channel volumes were below 2024 due to docking timing differences.
  • 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 7.4% to 41.5m from 38.6m in 2024-23. The increase was 2.5% adjusted for Strait of Gibraltar added from January 2024.

Ferry – passenger

  • The number of passengers in January 2025 was 12.4% below 2024 and down 4.7% adjusted for the sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen.
  • The adjusted decrease was driven mostly by docking timing differences.
  • The number of cars was 8.5% below 2024 and down 4.1% adjusted for route changes.

For the last twelve months 2025-24, the total number of passengers increased 42.7% to 6.6m compared to 4.6m for 2024-23. The increase was 2.9% adjusted for route changes.

New Managing Director for Adria Port in Trieste Joins from DFDS

By | 2025 Newsletter week 06 | No Comments

Starting in May, the Managing Director of Samer Seaports & Terminals (DFDS) in Trieste will transition to become the next CEO of Adria Port Inc., a company fully owned by the Hungarian state.

Adria Port’s mission is to implement Hungary’s port development project in Trieste, supporting the country’s foreign trade, expanding its logistics network for economic benefit, and contributing to sustainable economic growth. The company operates under the supervision of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Designed as a multipurpose terminal, Adria Port will provide container handling, RoRo operations, and general cargo services. The company emphasises efficiency and flexibility, aiming to ensure the seamless handling of diverse cargo types.

The terminal is expected to commence operations in 2026.

DFDS: 2024 Preliminary Results, 2025 Preliminary Outlook & Financial Ambitions

By | 2025 Newsletter week 04 | No Comments

Preliminary results for 2024     

  • DFDS’ revenue for 2024 increased 9.0% to DKK 29.8bn which was in line with the latest outlook revenue growth range of 8-10%.
  • The 2024 EBIT was DKK 1.5bn in line with the latest EBIT outlook range of DKK 1.5-1.7bn.
  • The adjusted free cash flow for 2024 was DKK 1.0bn compared to an outlook of around DKK 1.2bn.

Preliminary outlook for 2025

  • DFDS’ EBIT for 2025 is expected to be around DKK 1.0bn.
  • The EBIT expectation includes substantial negative earnings impacts from the changed competitive environment of the Mediterranean ferry network. The addition of the Türkiye & Europe South business area (previously Ekol International Transport) to the Logistics Division will as expected also reduce EBIT in 2025.

DFDS will in 2025 focus on:

  • Adapting Mediterranean ferry operations to the changed competitive environment.
  • Turning Türkiye & Europe South around to breakeven by year-end 2025.
  • Progressing the Logistics turnarounds initiated in 2024.
  • Deleveraging the capital structure will also be a priority in 2025 along with a review of non-core asset ownership.

The annual report for 2024 is set for release on 21 February.

DFDS December: Adjusted Growth on Level

By | 2025 Newsletter week 03 | No Comments

Ferry – freight:

  • Total volumes in December 2024 were 6.4% above 2023 and on level adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes in 2024, closure of Calais-Tilbury in 2023, and the opening of Damietta-Trieste in 2024.
  • December volumes were in general lowered by the holiday season’s greater impact on the number of operating days compared to 2023. North Sea volumes were therefore below 2023.
  • Channel continued to trend above 2023 while Baltic Sea and Mediterranean volumes were on level with 2023 with the latter facing increased competition in one corridor
  • In 2024, total transported freight lane metres increased 8.4% to 41.5m from 38.3m in 2023. The increase was 4.0% adjusted for the above route changes.

Ferry – passenger:

  • The number of passengers in December 2024 was 16.5% above 2023 and on level adjusted for the above route changes as well as the sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen.
  • The number of cars was 17.4% above 2023 and down 4.2% adjusted for route changes.
  • In 2024, the total number of passengers increased 47.6% to 6.6m compared to 4.5m in 2023. The increase was 7.4% adjusted for route changes.

Jersey: DFDS Guernsey: Brittany Ferries

By | 2025 Newsletter week 02 | No Comments

Now it is official: the two Channel Islands, Jersey and Guernsey, will each have a separate ferry company deserving each island.

Early December 2024, the Government of Guernsey has signed a contract with Brittany Ferries for 15 years. Brittany Ferries is the parent company of Condor Ferries.

End of December, the Government of Jersey has signed a contract with DFDS for 20 years.

A DFDS news release explains:

  • Under the contract, DFDS will provide passenger and freight services to the UK and France: routes from Jersey to Poole, Portsmouth and Saint Malo.
  • Two primary focus areas for the ferry operation: life-line freight and passenger services for Jersey residents and tourism.
  • The last three quarters of 2025, the total number of passengers on the routes are expected to amount to around 400k of which more than half are related to tourism. The majority of freight volumes (mainly unaccompanied trailers) are transported between Portsmouth and Jersey.
  • For the last three quarters of 2025, freight volumes are expected to amount to around 450k lane metres.
  • The four ferries to be deployed include two HSCs (high-speed craft), one RoPax ferry, and one RoRo ferry.
  • As part of the concession agreement, DFDS is planning to renew the deployed fleet through mainly introduction of new-buildings between 2030 and 2032.

Quid Saint-Malo?

 Brittany Ferries submitted its schedules for 2025 to the Port of Saint-Malo on 14 November, one day earlier than DFDS. As a result, Brittany – Condor Ferries is given scheduling priority for the Port of Saint-Malo in 2025.

It will be interesting to see how Saint-Malo copes with the berthing arrangements for the different competitors.

Remark:

As of December 2023, the estimated populations of the two main Channel Islands are:

  • Jersey: approximately 103,650 residents.
  • Guernsey: approximately 64,781 residents.
  • Bailiwick of Guernsey includes Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm.

Photo: Mike Louagie

MSC Enters Direct Competition with DFDS and Grimaldi on Türkiye –Trieste Link

By | 2024 Newsletter week 51 | No Comments

MSC has officially entered the Türkiye –Trieste maritime link market, directly competing with Grimaldi and DFDS.

  • Route: every Saturday: Gebze, Türkiye → Trieste, Italy
  • Transit Time: 4 days to Trieste; 9 days for the return journey to Türkiye
  • Target Cargo: Industrial goods, commercial freight, and automotive cargo
  • 45ft HCPW containers

In a recent statement, the Geneva-based global carrier announced the introduction of 45ft HCPW (high-cube palletwide) containers on its short sea route connecting the Gebze region in Türkiye to Trieste in Northern Italy.

“This door-to-door transportation solution offers customers a very competitively priced option for larger shipments. This strategically designed service addresses the growing demand for reliable and efficient freight solutions while facilitating the shift from traditional trucks and RoRo vessels to larger-capacity containerised transport,” MSC stated.

Departing weekly from Gebze every Saturday, the service ensures a transit time of just four days to Trieste. Customers benefit from enhanced capacity, competitive pricing, and the convenience of working with a global logistics operator. This solution is further supported by MSC’s own inland transportation provider, MEDLOG, in both Türkiye and Italy.

DFDS Announced its Three Ships for the Jersey Operations

By | 2024 Newsletter week 51 | No Comments

DFDS, set to become Jersey’s new ferry operator, unveiled the vessels to serve the island:

  • HSC TARIFA JET – Incat 043 – built 1997 – 700 pax and 150 cars
  • HSC LEVANTE JET – Incat 068 – built 2015 – 675 pax and 151 cars
  • RoPax STENA VINGA –built 2005/2010 – 400 pax and 200 cars – 108 beds -1,235/1,538 lane metres

The other Channel Island, Guernsey, will be deserved by Brittany Ferries / Condor Ferries.

Launch of the DECOMPRES Project: A Green Future for Greek Ports

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments
  • Purpose: To promote sustainable growth and reduce carbon emissions in Greek port zones through the DECOMPRES project, “Decarbonising the Greek Comprehensive Ports.”
  • Funding:
    • Approved for a total of €9,670,000 under the European Commission’s “Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)” programme.
    • 85% of funding comes from the Cohesion Fund.
  • Scope:
    • The first collaborative effort involving multiple Greek ports within the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network’s supplementary network.
    • Aims to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Aligns with European directives for green port transformations.
    • Involves the installation of ship electrification infrastructure to reduce reliance on traditional fuels.
    • Construction of ship electrification facilities includes:
      • 4 positions in Rafina Port.
      • Technical studies for:
        • 9 positions in Lavrio Port.
        • 11 positions in Corfu Port.
        • 9 positions in Kavala Port.
  • Consortium Members:
    • Coordinated by Lavrio Port Authority SA, partnered with Rafina, Corfu, and Kavala Port Authorities, along with Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, HEDNO (electricity distribution), PROTASIS, HYDRUS, GATES, and NTUA’s Laboratory of Maritime Transport.

This initiative sets a benchmark for sustainable maritime practices, reflecting the commitment of Greek ports to green growth and innovation.

Photo: A kickoff meeting was held on Thursday, 5 December 2024, at Lavrio Port Authority’s offices.

DFDS November: Continued Growth

By | 2024 Newsletter week 50 | No Comments

Ferry – freight

  • Total volumes in November 2024 were 4% above 2023 and up 4.7% adjusted for the addition of Strait of Gibraltar routes in 2024, closure of Calais-Tilbury in 2023, and the sale of Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen in 2024.
  • North Sea, Channel, and Baltic Sea volumes were all, also in November, above 2023 following growth on most routes.
  • Mediterranean volumes were in November below 2023 following increased competition in one corridor.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total transported freight lane metres increased 7.7% to 41.4m from 38.4m in 2023-22. The increase was 3.9% adjusted for the above route changes.

Ferry – passenger

  • The number of passengers in November 2024 was 6% above 2023 and up 22.4% adjusted for the above route changes. The adjusted increase was due to mainly higher Channel volumes supported by a timing difference of the fall half-term break in the UK.
  • The number of cars was 40.4% above 2023 and up 8.4% adjusted for route changes.
  • For the last twelve months 2024-23, the total number of passengers increased 47.2% to 6.6m compared to 4.5m for 2023-22. The increase was 8.0% adjusted for route changes.

DFDS Q3 2024 Interim Report – Working Through Headwinds

By | 2024 Newsletter week 45 | No Comments

“Despite market headwinds, we continued in line with our organic growth ambitions to protect and grow volumes in Q3 on the back of our network strength,” says Torben Carlsen, CEO.

Q3 2024

  • Revenue up 11% to DKK 8.0bn Organic growth was 4%
  • EBIT reduced 11% to DKK 785m
  • Adjusted free cash flow of DKK 396m
  • CO2 ferry emission intensity lowered 1.6%

Outlook 2024 (updated 1 November 2024)

  • EBIT of DKK 1.5-1.7bn
  • Revenue growth of 8-10%
  • Adjusted free cash flow of around DKK 1.2bn

Read the Q3 2024 interim report here: