With the introduction of Project Starlight earlier this year, the management of Copenhagen – Oslo and Amsterdam – Newcastle DFDS cruise routes were moved to ensure maximum focus on the various work streams.
Project Starlight has been created to enhance customer satisfaction, job satisfaction and results for DFDS’ two cruise routes
Kiel’s Ostuferhafen Access Area Restructured
Photo: Tom Körber
On 16 September North Sea Port received the visit of EU Transport commissioner Violetta Bulc. North Sea Port is the company managing three merged ports: Ghent, Terneuzen and Vlissingen.
In Terneuzen, the EU commissioner visited the building site of the New Lock. She was able to see the enlargement of the maritime access to the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. Europe is supporting this project with a contribution of EUR 48m.
In 2022, the first ship will be sailing through the New Lock.
Ghent is an important base for DFDS.
DFDS will in 2019 invest DKK 300 million to install scrubbers on 12 ro-ro ferries deployed on freight routes in the Mediterranean between Turkey, Italy, Greece and France. The investment will ensure compliance with the new global sulphur rules as from 2020.
Port Of Ghent Connects DFDS’s Northern And Southern Route Network
By connecting the DFDS network with the new routes in southern Europe, DFDS is capable of offering transportation of cargo from North to South and back.
Compared to alternative solutions lead time is reduced with at least 1 day.
The new intermodal connection offers shipping transportation on the Gothenburg – Ghent and Trieste – Pendik/Ambarli/Mersin routes. There will also be a stopover in Patras, Greece.
DFDS will use Bettembourg in Luxembourg as the continental hub for the intermodal connection and has a solid cooperation over railways with CFL. Trailers are shunted from Bettembourg to Ghent over road, a second option via rail is being developed.
Photo: Tom D’haenens Port of Ghent
One More Newbuilding For DFDS
DFDS ordered one more ro-ro unit at the Jinling Shipyard in China.
That brings the order to a grand total of six new mega ro-ro newbuildings, or 40,200 lane meters and 2,700 trailers!
DFDS’s Acquisitions Fuel Growth In Q2
In Q2, DFDS’ revenue increased 6% to DKK 3.9bn driven by the expansion of the route network in the Mediterranean (with the acquisition of U.N. Ro-Ro), as well as continued growth in the freight activities in northern Europe. These two factors were also the key driver of the increase in EBITDA before special items by 9% to DKK 802m.
The growth of freight ferry volumes was in line with expectations in both northern Europe and the Mediterranean with overall growth of 6%.
Logistics volumes were up 5% for continuing activities.
DFDS’ first Jinling vessel (6,700 lane meter) was launched into the Yangtze River on 16 July.
Photo: Jeppe Halkjær Pedersen / DFDS
Between Klaipeda (Lithuania) and Karlshamn (Sweden), DFDS increased weekly departures from nine to ten. Ro-pax PATRIA SEAWAYS added a weekly round trip to the nine DFDS performs today. The extra sailings take place in the weekend, on Saturdays at 8:00 from Klaipeda and 23:59 from Karlshamn. Crossing time is 13-15 hours
Photo: PATRIA SEAWAYS © DFDS
