Dfds News

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has launched an international sea trials program in partnership with the French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (Shom). The joint program represents the most comprehensive test of S-100 data standards to date and will form part of the International Hydrographic Organization’s (IHO) coordinated test bed framework. Throughout the trials, the UKHO and Shom will collect evidence to inform safety and efficiency use cases, while providing guidance on the introduction of the S-100 data framework, which is set to underpin the future of maritime navigation.

DFDS has entered an agreement to sell the freight ferry (RoRo) Cappadocia Seaways as a part of DFDS’ ongoing fleet optimization.After more than 23 years of service, DFDS is selling the freight ferry Cappadocia Seaways, following an evaluation of DFDS’s current and future capacity needs across its network.The ferry has been a part of DFDS’ fleet operating in the Mediterranean network. In its place, DFDS will deploy Selandia Seaways which is a 197m long freight ferry with a capacity up to 2…

The new International Association of Maritime Clusters (IAMC) was launched during London International Shipping Week 2025 after a panel discussion: “Why collaboration is essential for maritime to grow.”IAMC fielded questions such as: Is there really a need for another trade association?From the tone of the debate, this elicited a very strong confirmation that maritime clusters are missing the all-important global interaction.The panel consisted of Captain Lee Clarke, Managing Director…

Hogia has appointed David Wallgren as the new Managing Director of Hogia Ferry Systems and Business Unit Manager for its newly established transport sector, Ports & Shipping. He joins from the DFDS Group, bringing over 25 years of experience in port and shipping operations. In his new role, he will lead the development of the sector, which develops IT solutions for terminal and shipping operations.Wallgren began his career as a port worker at the Port of Gothenburg. Since then, he has held operational, commercial, and strategic positions in both ports and shipping companies.

DFDS and TT Line have entered into a space charter agreement on three ferry routes in the Baltic Sea. With the agreement, DFDS will increase the number of sailings offered between Klaipeda and Karlshamn, as well as bring new services to Trelleborg and Travemünde.Passenger and freight customers will be able to book all services connecting to and from Klaipeda, regardless of which of the two ferry companies is operating the crossing.The agreement covers all sailings on the Klaipeda to Karlshamn route, where both operators currently offer sailings.

The shipping company DFDS has received the Danish Shipping Company's Diversity Award 2025 at Danish Shipping Company's annual event in connection with Copenhagen Pride.DFDS was nominated for the 2025 Diversity Award in recognition of its strategic and courageous efforts for diversity, equality and inclusion. The jury particularly highlights DFDS' strong leadership anchoring, where DEI goals are integrated into both KPIs and bonus schemes, as well as the broad anchoring of initiatives in core processes such as recruitment, salary, and leadership development.

A consortium, led by MAN Energy Solutions, has been formed to deliver  the NH3 Spark – FutureFlex project, which aims to develop a dual-fuel, four-stroke GenSet capable of operating purely on ammonia without the need for a pilot fuel, marking a first for a commercial, industrial engine.Sponsored by the Danish State initiative, the EUDP (Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme), the project brings together a consortium led by MAN Energy Solutions’ Holeby site along with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Skovgaard Energy…

Danish international shipping and logistics company DFDS has entered an agreement with the Danish Defence to provide freight ferries for transport of military equipment.The partnership will support on military operations and missions. The contract extends the scope of the current contract and starts in 2026, running for up to six years.DFDS expands and extends its cooperation with the Danish Defence. Eight DFDS freight ferries, RoRos, are to be made available for the transport of military equipment and other commodities for military operations…

Danish shipping company DFDS is launching a weekly freight service connecting Spain and the Netherlands, aimed at serving the needs of industrial customers, freight forwarders and project cargo owners.In connection with the new route, DFDS and Hydro, a global aluminium and energy company, have signed an agreement for weekly shipment of aluminium. Starting from end May, the new route will connect the ports of Vilagarcía and Rotterdam, offering a direct ferry link from southern…

DFDS and the government of Jersey have signed a contract under which DFDS will provide freight and passenger services connecting Jersey of the Channel Islands to the UK and France for 20 years.Beginning 28 March 2025, the new service will include routes from Jersey to Poole and Portsmouth in the U.K., and Saint-Malo in France.DFDS committed to increase the frequency of ferries to address high demand in peak periods, introducing high-speed ferries to the UK and investing in three new vessels by 2032."We are excited to embark on this journey with Jersey and the local community.

DFDS was selected as the preferred bidder to take on the 15-year contract to provide ferry life-line freight service and passenger services to Jersey of the Channel Islands from March 28, 2025. “We are thrilled to have been selected as preferred bidder tender for the ferry service to Jersey. This opportunity allows us to bring our commitment to safety, reliability, and exceptional customer service to both residents and visitors of Jersey. We understand that a reliable ferry service is vital for Jersey, for the economy, and for providing essential supplies and access to medical services, and we look forward to serving the local communities on Jersey for many years to come,” says Filip Hermann, VP BU Channel & Baltics.

DFDS launched a new direct ferry service between Damietta, Egypt and Trieste, Italy, integrating Egypt into its service network for the first time and launching the first freight ferry service between these markets in around a decade.“The new route aligns perfectly with our commitment to organic growth and solidifies our strong presence in the Mediterranean region," said Mathieu Girardin, Head of Ferry Division, DFDS. "The service not only expands our network but also enhances…

A series of new recommendations have been published Danish Shipping that aim to end bullying and harassment onboard Danish-flagged ships.The recommendations were announced at Danish Shipping’s annual Blue Pride Bar event and handed over to the Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Morten Bødskov.The move follows the announcement in January 2024 by Bødskov of a series of initiatives to prevent bullying and harassment on Danish ships. One of these initiatives was the creation of best practice recommendations…

DFDS said it will invest $1.2 billion in six battery electric vessels for operation in the English Channel, to be deployed on the Dunkirk-Dover and Calais-Dover routes to carry passengers and freight between the U.K. and the European Union.The first two electric vessels will be in operation by 2030, while the rest are expected to follow before 2035, the company said.“This is an important step towards decarbonizing cross-Channel transport," said Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS.In April…

Over the past year, H2 Energy and DFDS have worked together on a project to analyze the feasibility of retrofitting large ferries with a hydrogen propulsion system.The project, supported by the Danish Maritime Fund, has led to the publication of a hydrogen propulsion feasibility study.With support from the Danish Maritime Fund, DFDS, H2 Energy and Lloyds set out to uncover the technical and operational feasibility of hydrogen propulsion systems by analyzing the main aspects of…

Danish shipping and logistics firm DFDS said on Tuesday it has agreed to buy the international transport network of Turkey's Ekol Logistics for 1.9 billion crowns ($277 million) and lifted its sales growth forecast for the year.The network connects Turkey and Europe and the acquisition will add road transport to its Mediterranean ferry network, DFDS said in a statement, adding that it was in line with its strategy to move goods in trailers by ferry, road and rail."Turkey's role…

DFDS has completed its acquisition of FRS Iberia/Maroc, a short-sea ferry company connecting Spain and Morocco via the Strait of Gibraltar.“We are excited to start the integration of FRS Iberia/Maroc and look forward to applying our joint capabilities to grow the business while continuing to provide reliable, efficient ferry services to both passengers and freight customers,” said Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS.Reporting preliminary revenue of DKK 1.0bn for 2023, FRS Iberia/Maroc has three routes operated by a total of 850 staff of which just over 400 are own employees.

Green Instruments A/S and Danish Technological Institute have developed a real-time flue gas sensor technology - The Extinction-Minus-Scattering (EMS) measurement method - to accurately measure black carbon emissions from ships, a tech which could be instrumental in meeting increasing regulatory demands of the shipping industry for black carbon emission standards. The EMS method enables real-time in-situ measurement capabilities, traceability, and lowered ownership costs, tackling…

Danish shipping company DFDS announced it has committed to investing in battery-powered vessels to help decarbonize the maritime traffic across the English Channel.Following a meet between French Minister for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and French Nationals Abroad, Olivier Becht and CEO of DFDS, Torben Carlsen, in October, DFDS said it will invest in the innovation and technology necessary to and deploy a fleet of battery-powered vessels in the English Channel by 2030.“We have…

DFDS has won the tender to operate ferries between Newhaven, U.K. and Dieppe, France, clearing the Danish operator to continue its service on the route for the next five years.“We are delighted to be awarded the contract to continue operating the important ferry link between Newhaven and Dieppe. This secures hundreds of local DFDS jobs and enables us to continue our ambitious plans to invest in the route,” said Jean-Claude Charlo, Head of French Organization and Route Director…

Danish shipping company DFDS said it has taken delivery of Aura Seaway, the first in a series of two new roll-on, roll-off passenger ferries from Chinese shipbuilder Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI).The 230-meter-long newbuild, now on its way to Europe, is the first newbuild passenger vessel contracted by DFDS since Scandinavia was delivered in 1982.With 4,500 lane meters and capacity for 600 passengers, the new vessel is by far DFDS' largest RoPax ferry in terms of cargo capacity.

Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS announced Mathieu Girardin has been named its new head of ferry, succeeding Peder Gellert Pedersen, who is retiring on August 1, 2022.Girardin will join DFDS as a member of the company's executive management team in October 2022.Girardin is currently senior vice president at French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM. He is responsible for short sea lines in Europe and containerships.DFDS CEO, Torben Carlsen, said, “I am delighted to welcome Mathieu Girardin.

Danish shipping company DFDS said its first newbuild vessel in 30 years has arrived in Europe following a long voyage from the Chinese shipyard Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI).The new ship, Aura Seaways, is the first in a series of two new roll-on, roll-off passenger ferries built by GSI for DFDS. The 230-meter-long vessel, officially handed over to DFDS in China in December, is the first newbuild passenger vessel contracted by DFDS since Scandinavia was delivered in 1982.Last weekend…