Together with a coalition of NGOs, including IFAW, Ocean Care, Pelagos Cetacean Institute, and WWF Greece, DFDS has developed initiatives to reduce vessel-whale collisions in the Hellenic Trench in Southern Greece:
- Route Adjustments: DFDS has redefined vessel routes to avoid high-risk areas known for frequent sperm whale sightings.
- Slow Steaming: DFDS has limited vessel speeds in these high-risk zones to minimize the potential of collisions.
- Spotting and Reporting: DFDS has initiated a policy encouraging all Masters to maintain vigilance, identify whales, and communicate sightings promptly to DFDS vessels and other ships in the vicinity.
While the route adjustments and slow steaming have extended trip durations, the impact has been minimal: an increase of 15-30 min per leg.
The changes apply to vessels calling Pendik, Trieste, Sete and Yalova.
