DFDS’ Annual Report for 2020, including the CSR Report for 2020, have now been published and are available from the link below.
Since Saturday, February 20, mega freight ferry HUMBRIA SEAWAYS replaces BEGONIA SEAWAYS on Göteborg – Gent.
According to route operations manager Alain De Brauwer, this means 320 more trailers per week in each direction.
The route is now operated by HUMBRIA, FREESIA and PRIMULA SEAWAYS, with six calls per week in total.
DFDS also operates sister vessel FLANDRIA SEAWAYS on Göteborg – Zeebrugge, in cooperation with CLdN. The two companies have a space share agreement.
DFDS Ends 2020 With Another Strong Freight Quarter
- In Q4, the DFDS’ freight earnings were boosted by UK stockbuilding and the improved performance of the Mediterranean route network.
- On the passenger side, Covid-19 restrictions continued to affect the business.
Q4 Results (DKK million)
-6.2% Revenue 3,761 (4,008)
-0.2% EBITDA before special items 769 (771)
12.5% EBIT before special items 289 (257)
-23.4% Profit before tax 97 (126)
Full Year Results (DKK million)
-15.8% Revenue 13,971 (16,592)
-24.8% EBITDA before special items 2,732(3,633)
-51.0% EBIT before special items 858 (1,751)
-66.0% Profit before tax 466 (1,371)
Outlook 2021
- Revenue is expected to grow by 20-25% and EBITDA before special items is expected to be within a range of DKK 3.0-3.5bn (2020: DKK 2.7bn).
- Uncertainty: duration of travel restrictions and longer-term effects of Brexit.
- The acquisition of HSF Logistics Group is subject to regulatory approval but assumed consolidated from 1 May 2021.
- Total volumes in January 2021 were down 12%.
- Volumes for routes calling the UK were down 21% with volumes picking up towards the end of the month.
- North Sea volumes were below 2020 as the stockbuilding ahead of Brexit reversed and the adoption of new rules and processes slowed trading.
- Volumes between Sweden and Belgium were above 2020.
- Volumes on the English Channel were likewise reduced by the stockbuilding reversal.
- The new route between Ireland and France was successfully launched with volumes ahead of expectations.
- Baltic Sea volumes were above 2020 adjusted for the closure of the Paldiski-Hanko route.
- Mediterranean volumes were well above 2020 in all main corridors.
- Passengers -84%
DFDS route Cuxhaven – Immingham to be upgraded as from 1 February
- One extra weekly departure from both ports (on Wednesday)
- Sailing times reduced by up to four hours
- Changing sailing times enables trailer customers to load during the day and to deliver the units to the port in the evening
- SELANDIA SEAWAYS and BRITANNIA SEAWAYS serve the route
HSF Logistics Group is one of Europe’s leading cold chain logistics providers to meat producers and other food producers that operates temperature-controlled supply chains.
The HSF Logistics Group has revenue of DKK 2.8bn and an EBITDA of DKK 320m (before adjusting for IFRS 16). The company currently has 1,800 employees and operates around 700 trucks and 1,700 reefer trailers, including both owned and leased units.
The integration of the HSF Logistics Group is expected to generate both commercial and cost synergies as well as synergies from addition of volumes to DFDS’ transport infrastructure of ferry routes and ports. Expected synergies will be described in further detail in connection with the closing of the transaction.
DFDS acquires the HSF Logistics Group for a debt-free price of DKK 2.2bn (EUR 296m).
The acquisition is subject to approval by the European Competition Authority, expected within three months.
Photo: WSI Models
DFDS agreed to lease a new 34,560 m2 warehouse in Borås, Sweden, that is an attractive Scandinavian logistics hub area close to Gothenburg.
The new warehouse will expand DFDS’ contract logistics offering that today is focused in Gothenburg. The additional capacity will make it possible to grow with existing industrial customers and attract new customers.
The warehouse will be built by property developer, CH Square, from whom DFDS will lease the warehouse for 10 years with an option to extend further after the lease period. Construction is expected to begin in early February 2021 and the warehouse is planned to open at the end of this year.
Port of Zeebrugge: Growth of 3% in 2020
Zeebrugge stayed 100% operational during the pandemic. Roro traffic suffered because of the reduced handling of new cars. This drop was compensated by a strong growth in container traffic, LNG and solid bulk.
The port took a lot of initiatives to be Brexit-proof and invested twice as much into new infrastructure.
Modal shift: the port sees an important growth of rail connections, and estuary waterway connections went up 4.2%
CLdN
- Added a call in Zeebrugge on the route Leixões – Rotterdam, allowing cargo to be transferred to Esbjerg and Göteborg.
- Zeebrugge – Dublin: from 2 to 3 sailings with so-called “Brexit busters”
- Zeebrugge – Cork: new route
- Zeebrugge – Santander: ships VALENTINE en CELANDINE = +40% capacity
P&O Ferries
- End of ropax service Zeebrugge – Hull, means end of accompanied freight
DFDS
- Introduction of FLANDRIA SEAWAYS on 4 October 2020, Zeebrugge – Göteborg
Read the full report
https://portofzeebrugge.be/en/news-events/port-zeebrugge-3-growth-2020
Our friends from NI Ferry Site have published the first onboard pictures of DFDS new ropax for the English Channel.
Click here to access the webpage of NI Ferry Site
https://www.niferry.co.uk/cote-dopale-first-details-emerge-of-dfds-new-ferry/
Stena Line’s Newest Ship Debuts on Rosslare-Cherbourg instead of Belfast-Liverpool
Stena Line’s brand-new STENA EMBLA will make its Irish Sea debut on the Rosslare-Cherbourg service. Originally scheduled for service on the Belfast-Liverpool route, due to the current Brexit related shift for direct routes and increasing customer demand, Stena Line has decided to temporarily deploy her on Rosslare-Cherbourg.
The first sailing will be from Rosslare on 14 January 2021.
STENA EMBLA will make three weekly return trips between Rosslare and Cherbourg, which alongside the STENA FORETELLER will see Stena Line operate 12 crossing per week between Ireland and the Continent.
Ferry Shipping News understands that route vessel STENA HORIZON needs maintenance. If she will return on the route is so far unclear.
