DFDS lacks digital experts. “We simply have a hard time recruiting the IT experts we need, even though new colleagues will immediately be involved in tasks that really matter to people and trade. The tasks we can offer are probably among the most meaningful and exciting an IT developer will get,” says Henrik Holck, EVP, People and Ships.
U.N. Ro-Ro, now a DFDS company, has made its first call to Port of Patras. The first vessel was the UN PENDIK, coming from Istanbul, and going to Trieste.
Initially, four weekly calls have been scheduled for Patras, two per direction.
Photo: U.N. Ro-Ro
On 8 June, Volvo announced that the last of its successful V60 models had been assembled at Volvo Cars’ assembly line in Ghent. Over the last 18 months DFDS transported the supply of V60 bodies from Volvo Cars’ factories in Gothenburg to the assembly line in Ghent; some 325 trailer loads a week. The production of the new Volvo V60 SPA model will begin in a few months. DFDS has a new contract for the transportation of 250 trailer loads per week.
In Ghent, the DFDS ships are nicknamed “The Volvo Boats”
Photo: DFDS
DFDS has ordered one additional ro-ro newbuilding for delivery in the first half of 2020 from the Chinese Jinling Shipyard.
The newbuilding is similar to the four previously ordered ro-ro’s and likewise designed to carry 6,700 lane metres of freight equivalent to around 450 trailers.
DFDS’ fleet renewal programme also includes two ro-pax ferries to be delivered in 2021 for deployment in the Baltic route network.
In addition, one chartered ro-pax (from Stena RoRo) will be delivered in 2021 for deployment on The English Channel routes.
DFDS completed the acquisition of U.N. Ro-Ro after all relevant authorities approved the transaction. The deal was completed on June 7.
- N. Ro-Ro operates five freight ferry routes connecting Turkey with Trieste and Toulon.
- N. Ro-Ro has 12 modern ro-ro ferries and its own port terminals in Istanbul and Trieste.
- In Europe, U.N. Ro-Ro offers intermodal solutions to and from other European markets.
- Annual revenue of EUR 240 million and 500 employees.
- DFDS to have a fleet of 50 ships (once the newbuildings are delivered)
Selçuk Boztepe, CEO of U.N. Ro-Ro and now Head of a new Mediterranean business unit in DFDS’ Shipping Division said:
- Soon Patras will be added as a port of call between Italy and Turkey.
- Aim is to become key player in the sea transport sector in the North Africa, Black Sea and Middle East regions.
Photo: U.N. Ro-Ro
The Turkish competition authorities have approved the purchase of 98.8% of the shares of UN RoRo by DFDS.
Now DFDS has to wait for the approval of Italy, Germany and Austria too. The final completion of the DKK 7.1 billion transaction is expected before July.
A ferry service from Rosyth is not dead in the water, according to a local Member of Parliament. DFDS recently decided to pull the plug from the Zeebrugge – Rosyth service.
DFDS Q1 Review: Strong Logistics Performance In Q1
“Both growth and earnings were ahead of expectations in Q1 and our full-year growth expectation is now raised to 4% and to 10% including U.N. Ro-Ro. European growth is robust and continues to support our ferry routes and logistics activities. Our continuous improvement projects are on track and will also contribute to earnings this year,” says Niels Smedegaard, CEO.
Some highlights:
- Revenue growth of 9%, adjusted
- Passenger volumes up 14% boosted by Easter
- Ferry freight volumes up 3% despite negative impact from Easter and a collision
- Profit before special items and tax up 18%
Outlook 2018
- Revenue growth increased to 4% from 2%, excl. U.N. Ro-Ro
- EBITDA range of DKK 3,000-3,200m, incl. U.N. Ro-Ro
- Investments of DKK 5.2bn, incl. U.N. Ro-Ro
Click on the image to start the download of the report.
DFDS has signed a long-term sub-concession agreement and partnership with the Port of Ghent’s Mercatordock concessionaire, the Belgian group Sea-Invest. In this way, DFDS ensures it will continue operating and managing its own terminal. The Mercatordock is where DFDS handles the Ghent – Gothenburg/Brevik RoRo route, together with container barge connections to deep sea ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.
Photo: North Sea Port
Last week we announced that DFDS is going to charter one of the Stena RoRo E-Flexers under construction in China. In fact the vessel is the fifth in the series, and Stena RoRo has a further three options on vessels for delivery from 2021 and onwards.
In 2016, Stena RoRo placed an order for four large ro-pax ferries with the Chinese shipyard AVIC International with an option for a further four vessels. The vessel now ordered is the fifth in the series.
From the first batch of four vessels, three will be operated by Stena Line on the Irish Sea, and one by Brittany Ferries.
