Today, we welcome our newest addition to our fleet, Côte d’Opale, that was delivered to Stena and handed over to us six weeks ahead of schedule. We have signed a long-term charter agreement with Stena RoRo and the 216-metre-long ferry will become the longest ferry operating on the English Channel. To mark the delivery, a ceremony with representatives from Stena RoRo, DFDS and the shipyard was held on site and the ferry will soon embark on […]
Anders started in DFDS 11 May 1981. During the last 40 years Anders has served on several vessels; the latest 11 years onboard Pearl Seaways. Anders is a well-liked colleague who is skilled at what he does. He takes good care of the engine and all onboard Pearl sleep well when Anders is on night […]
Just look at these fantastic photos of our newbuilding on sea trial. As you might know, sea trials are conducted to test and validate the equipment and systems. At Guangzhou Shipyard International in China, it is customary to conduct two sea trials. The first sea trial is to test main functions, machinery, propulsion systems etc. The second is considered […]
Last week, we sold our ferry ‘Gothia Seaways’ to Luxembourg-based CLdN. At the same time, we acquired the freight ferry ‘Meleq’ from CLdN which we have named Acacia Seaways. Last Thursday 15 April, we said farewell to Gothia Seaways that was acquired by CldN and will be renamed Maxine. The handover was officially marked at […]
DFDS upgrades its vehicle fleet with 57 new Volvo FH trucks. With improved fuel-efficiency and driver safety, the new trucks will help us optimize logistics flows and reduce the environmental footprint of road transport. Volvo FH matches DFDS’ top priorities Our long-standing relationship with Volvo Trucks continues with the investment of 57 new Volvo FH trucks. Fuel efficiency, driver safety, and reduced emissions […]
The service will start on 1st June and will offer one daily sailing in each direction between the two ports. It will be operated by the Gothia Seaways, which can carry up to 165 unaccompanied freight units (trailers or containers without drivers). The port of Sheerness, part of Peel Ports’ London Medway cluster, is located […]
A lot is happening at Guangzhou Shipyard International in China where our new combined freight and passenger ferry for the Baltic Sea is being built. On Friday 19 March, another milestone was reached as the inclining test was successfully carried out. Steen Haurum, Site Manager, says: “An inclining test’s purpose is to establish the vessel’s […]
Côte d’Opale is our upcoming combined passenger and freight ferry that is destined for the Channel. It is currently under construction at the AVIC WEIHAI SHIPYARD CO LTD in China. With the launch getting closer, we thought we would catch up with our Onboard Commercial Director, Steve Newbery, to find out more about this ship […]
On 9 March, a total of 7555 lane meters of cargo went out of Klaipeda to Kiel and Karlshamn altogether. It is an absolute record on Baltic routes despite the pandemic related restrictions. We have strong demand, which we are able to accommodate thanks to sweeper vessels – Ark Futura and Finlandia Seaways, operating on both […]
As you know, we welcomed Huisman Group into DFDS in December 2019. Since then, our experience, organisation and skills within part-load has grown considerably. Now it is time to expand facilities. To ensure that we can keep up with demand and build an even stronger business, a brand-new 12,000 sqm warehouse in Wijchen, The Netherlands, will stand ready in November 2021. In addition to the existing warehouse in Wijchen, the new modern warehouse will double the […]
Photo by Jens Vinderslev. On the 1st April, DFDS will introduce a fourth freight ferry to the successful direct ferry service between Rosslare Europort in Ireland and the Grand Port of Dunkerque in Northern France. The new freight ferry is DFDS’ “Ark Dania” with a capacity of 188 truck units (including 12 driver accompanied units and 176 unaccompanied units/trailers). The direct service is favoured by haulage companies and industry alike, as it avoids the delays, border checks and complicated paperwork that come […]
Further to the latest update from DK government on travel restrictions, our service between Copenhagen – Frederikshavn – Oslo will now be suspended up to and including 5 April 2021. Our next possible sailing will be from 6 April 2021. Kasper Moos, Head of BU Group Passenger, says: “As the travel restrictions continues, we will extend the the lay-up […]
If you want an all round update on DFDS, there is no better source of information available than the full Annual Report 2020 that was just published. The CSR report is focused on our many great initiatives regarding climate, diversity & inclusion, safety and other important topics. This is reviewed in detail in a separate article. The […]
As Chinese New Year fell on our production yard in Weihai earlier this month, those working on the Côte d’Opale got a well-deserved rest. They’ve earned it as their hard work has meant the ship is almost 90% complete. As one of the largest ships on the Channel, the Côte d’Opale is well equipped for post-covid travel. It will offer a choice of dining options with plenty of […]
Scandia Seaways, Hollandia Seaways and Tulipa Seaways all caught in one shot at Vlaardingen. Thank you to Paul Lammers for sharing. After a successful maiden voyage, Scandia Seaways arrived in Vlaardingen on 8 February. Since then, work has gone into preparing the 6,700 lane metre freight ferry for the day she hits the route. Yesterday, it was finally that day. A busy crew ensured a smooth loading and made her ready for her […]
Update: *Fire suppressed and cooling started* On 11 February, our freight ferry Gallipoli Seaways, sailing from the Pendik Port of Istanbul to the Trieste Port of Italy, was passing from the exit of Dardanelles Strait when a fire broke out in one of the vehicles on the main deck of the ship for reasons currently […]
The UK has left the EU. It means new processes and more paperwork for DFDS and its freight customers working between the UK and EU. Despite years of preparation, the post-Brexit period caused challenges and delays. Extensive form filling, extra inspections and other needs were impossible to foresee. A range of factors including confusion over paperwork were responsible. Easier customs processes This is now becoming manageable. DFDS can offer clearance services that provide a much easier customs process. Eddie Green is the head of DFDS’s cold chain business unit. “From across England and […]
DFDS has a new freight ferry route between Ireland and France. It provides direct and paperless transport between EU countries. It is already popular, enjoying near 100% utilisation from day one. DFDS started a new freight ferry route Rosslare and Dunkerque on 2 January 2021. It gives lorry drivers direct and paperless transport between EU countries. It […]
Positive signs after a tough year for DFDS in Turkey. DFDS’ business in the Mediterranean grew two per cent on the same period last year. This small growth is a positive sign given the global impact of Covid-19 in 2020. DFDS expects to continue this in 2021. Turkey felt the pandemic effects like every other […]
35,000 sq m of storage space is what DFDS will be offering customers when it adds a brand new warehouse in the new and attractive industrial area in Borås, Sweden. DFDS has been looking to expand its Swedish contract logistics business, offering warehousing and crewing services, and other logistics solutions. On Friday 22 January, it took a huge step forward […]
Alongside in Singapore during loading of stores, provision and bunkering on 16 January. Captain Joakim Dahlberg and his crew are currently leading our newest mega freight ferry, Scandia Seaways, home to Europe. With low bandwidth, they can sadly only share a limited amount during the voyage. Luckily, the captain has recently shared a little update and some […]
By Wayne Bullen, Freight Sales Director. As highlighted by Søren and Peder, it was great to see the strong freight performance in all areas of our business during December, primarily as a result of stockpiling as the Brexit transition period came to an end. In addition to this and looking back on a very turbulent year (with […]
A quick look at how the ferries compare with each other. As we look forward to welcoming the Côte D’Opale this summer, here is a quick look at how she compares to the much-loved Calais Seaways which she will replace on our Dover to Calais route. Built in 1991 and upgraded in 2013, Calais Seaways is a familiar ship on […]
This year we will welcome the Côte D’Opale into the Channel family and with just a few months to go until her maiden voyage, she is coming along nicely. Construction started in May 2019 at the Avic Shipyard in Weihai, China, and there is just 15% of the build left until she is ready! Around 300 people are working on the ship […]