The security and safety of passengers, crew and tonnage are of the highest priority, and constitute an integral part of DFDS’ overall policies, strategies and targets.
The Group's safety and security system (the International Safety Management code) is refined on an ongoing basis. The system is based on documented processes that ensure a continuous focus on all aspects of on-board security, including verification that the requirements of both legislation and internal Group specifications are met. Much of the safety work is carried out through well-established inspection and maintenance routines on board the ships.
In addition, all of the ships are subjected to an internal audit at least once a year. The purpose of these extensive control mechanisms is to verify safety, and to collate important information for use in preventative measures throughout the fleet.
Both the shipping company and the fleet are subjected, at legally specified intervals, to inspections and security and safety audits by the authorities in the state under whose flag the ships sail. These authorities include classification societies, the EU and insurance companies.
Exercises and training are key elements in optimising the safety work and the on-board emergency provision. Different on-board exercises are frequently held, during which all or part of the crew train in the emergency functions allocated to them. In addition, the fleet regularly take part in exercises, in order to train, collate experiences and further develop the readiness of the ships.
DFDS actively discusses current and upcoming improvements to security and safety on its ships with various organisations and official bodies at national, European and international level. DFDS is also represented on several organs in the Danish Shipowners' Association, and is the Danish representative to the International Chamber of Shipping’s Passenger Ship Panel. In addition, DFDS took over the chair of the Nordic Committee for Passenger Ship Safety, “Nordkompass”, in December 2007.