Kära alla,
When we stepped into 2020, the world and DFDS saw a very different year ahead of us than we do now. The completely unexpected Covid-19 pandemic left no company in the travel and transport sector unaffected.
At DFDS, passenger revenue dropped to close to zero. Freight volumes and terminal activity dropped dramatically. Financially, Covid-19 is expected to reduce DFDS’ operating result for 2020 by up to DKK 1.7 billion even after implementing a number of mitigating operational initiatives and taking the various national aid packages into account.
Adapting structure, staff and costs to regain growth
Throughout our network, restrictions are being lifted, manufacturers are resuming operations, and government support measures are ending. Though developments vary between countries, we are now seeing the outlines of a new normal.
It will not be a return to the situation before the crisis. We face a world with less freight and fewer passengers to carry.
Consequently, we adapt our structure, staff and costs to the business that will emerge after Covid-19, allowing us to regain growth and profitability and maintain our position as an attractive employer also in the future.
Nearly all areas will be affected
Nearly all areas throughout the Group will be affected over the next couple of months. As labour market processes vary across the various jurisdictions, you will be informed locally about changes for your area as soon as possible. Today, we can announce the following:
Danmark
The Copenhagen – Oslo route has resumed operations now with the leg from Frederikshavn to Oslo added. On-board concepts on both Copenhagen-Oslo and Amsterdam-Newcastle have been adjusted and consequently, we have said goodbye to 136 on-board colleagues and further 171 crews on voyage contracts that have not been renewed. The changes also mean that we have said goodbye to 21 colleagues in the onshore passenger organisation in Copenhagen.
In IT & Digital, the coronavirus has accelerated the introduction of a new and leaner organisation to enable us to deliver digital business solutions more effectively. This will affect 16 colleagues. The new IT & Digital organisation will be announced on Tuesday 30 June.
The Finance Division has accelerated its transformation towards more focus on finance business partnering. The changes will affect two colleagues in the management team. More about the Finance Division’s new structure här.
Procurement, Logistics, Ferry/Technical Organisation/Fleet Management and Crewing will be reduced by nine positions in total in Copenhagen.
Group Marketing’s functions will be distributed between IT & Digital, Industries & Client Engagement och Företagskommunikation. In total, we have said goodbye to five colleagues in those areas because of the changes.
See the Industries & Client Engagement structure här, and the new Corporate Communications structure här.
All affected colleagues in Copenhagen have been informed, and have been offered support by external outplacement specialists.
Your manager will inform about changes in your department.
In the following locations, consultations will commence soon or have commenced:
In Oslo, Passenger’s Customer Care activities for the Copenhagen – Oslo route will be moved to the Customer Care team in Copenhagen. Along with other changes, this will potentially affect 19 colleagues.
Immingham Ferry agency and terminal will enter into consultations with union representatives about a proposal to reduce the staff by 62 positions across all areas. 13 colleagues will move to logistics, including to the new Industry Customer Engagement team.
At Immingham Logistics and Special Cargo, consultations have commenced about a reduction of 24 positions.
At the Liverpool site, a restructuring plan to align the changes following the recent business acquisition has been announced.
In Logistics in Sweden, DFDS will commence consultations with the unions about a potential reduction of operational staff and drivers by about 10 positions in addition to the 25 redundancies already announced.
I Gothenburg RoRo Terminal, consultations will commence about a reduction of administrative and operational staff by about 55 positions in total.
In Vlaardingen, seven positions in the Ferry Division will be affected. The Chairman of the Works Council has been informed shortly before this announcement about the upcoming reductions. Analysis of reductions in Vlaardingen Logistics are pending due to this entity currently under a governmental aid package.
In Ghent Logistics and Ferry, we will merge activities to benefit from synergies between the two divisions. Four positions will be impacted.
Changes are related to Covid-19
These unfortunate measures are all caused by the direct and indirect effects of Covid-19.
All colleagues leaving DFDS now or during the coming months have contributed greatly to DFDS’s success during many years. It is hard working and dedicated colleagues that due to no fault of their own we now say goodbye to. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to each and every one impacted and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
On behalf of the EMT,
Torben Carlsen