DFDS Seaways is returning the chartered passenger vessel the DUCHESS OF SCANDINAVIA to the Norwegian owner.
The original route between Hamburg in North Germany and Harwich in the South of England was transferred from Hamburg to Cuxhaven in March 2002, and the DUCHESS OF SCANDINAVIA was placed in service on the route in April 2003. The loss of duty-free sales on board and increasing competition from low-cost airlines have intensified the economic pressure on the route. Although profits on the route improved following the introduction of the DUCHESS OF SCANDINAVIA, the market for passenger tonnage does not make it viable to deploy relevant replacement tonnage. The route will consequently close in the middle of November 2005.
DFDS Tor Line's freight route from Cuxhaven to Immingham will continue unchanged, with 5-6 weekly departures in each direction.
The closure of the route in the middle of November will have no influence on DFDS's anticipated financial performance in 2005.
For further information please contact Søren Jespersen, Executive Vice President and COO, telephone +45 3342 3342 3140