In 1998 DFDS acquired the sister ship TOR SCANDIA and at
the same time chartered the TOR FLANDRIA with an option for
subsequent acquisition. In 1999 DFDS declared its intent to
exercise this option for acquisition in October 2003. DFDS Tor Line and Stena RoRo have now entered into an
acquisition agreement that advances the time of
acquisition. Since 1998 the two ro-ro ships, each with a
capacity of 2,875 lane meters and 400 cars, have operated
DFDS Tor Line’s EuroBridge, the route between Gothenburg,
Sweden and Ghent, Belgium. This earlier acquisition is a part of DFDS Tor Line’s
recently published tonnage strategy. In order to strengthen
competitiveness, DFDS Tor Line has planned a strategic
fleet renewal program. At the present time the average age
of DFDS Tor Line's fleet is 16 years. A gradual reduction
of the average age of the fleet will contribute to
increasing the flexibility and reliability of the fleet,
and make possible a higher sailing frequency, all of which
are central elements in DFDS Tor Line’s customer service
and market positioning. The renewal program is expected to
include contracting for new tonnage, chartering or
acquisition of newer ships, and sale and phasing out of
older tonnage. The objective is to reduce the average age
of own tonnage, over a period of years, to around ten
years. Yours sincerely,
DFDS Tor Line A/S Ole Frie
Managing Director |