
Press Release
DFDS named World’s Best Ferry Operator for ninth consecutive year
Date: 29/11/2019
Ferry operator DFDS scooped the title of ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the ninth year in a row at the World Travel Awards last night.
The awards, which are known as the travel industry’s Oscars, were handed out at a gala ceremony at the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman. They reward leaders in the tourism, airline, cruise and ferry, and hotel and hospitality sectors around the world. Winners are selected through an online poll involving members of the public and thousands of travel and tourism professionals.
Pete Akerman, Passenger Marketing Director at DFDS, said: “It’s an honour to be recognised as the World’s Leading Ferry Operator for a ninth year, showing the consistent quality of the services that we offer to passengers from around the world.
“We are proud of our record of providing an excellent customer experience across our route network, whether passengers are looking for a relaxing start to their holiday, a fun weekend away, or a comfortable and affordable way to get to their destination.”
DFDS operates one of the largest networks of passenger and freight ferry routes in and around Europe. Its UK ferry services run from Dover to Calais and Dunkirk, from Newhaven to Dieppe and from Newcastle to Amsterdam. Its pan-European services include routes from Copenhagen to Oslo, from Kiel or Karlshamn to Klaipeda, and from Paldiski to Hanko and Kapellskär.
The company will introduce a new ship, the Côte D’Opale, on its Dover to Calais route in summer 2021. It will be the longest ship on the Channel and will carry 1,000 passengers and crew. The ship will offer new, modern restaurant concepts and the largest shopping experience on the Channel.
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DFDS Press Office
01304 874052
Dover.pr@dfds.com
About DFDS:
DFDS is Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company, with a network of around 30 routes and 50 freight and passenger ships.
DFDS prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe.
In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.
DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for eight years running (2012-2019), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last nine years (2011-19).
DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and France on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the DFDS network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven to Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is operated by Transmanche Ferries.
For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.com

Award Winning Ferry Crossings
We are proud to have been voted World’s Leading Ferry Operator 2022 at this year’s World Travel Awards for the 12th year in a row! We have also won Europe's Leading Ferry Operator 2012-2022 and World’s Best Ferry Operator Website 2021-2022.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us and voted for us for over 12 years. Let’s sail the seas together with world class service!