DFDS SHIPS RECORD VOLUME OF FREIGHT TO THE UK
The strong increase in freight volumes and passenger numbers between the Continet and the UK is part of the DFDS' record results
2015 was a record year for DFDS. The DFDS Group's turnover increased by 5% to DKK 13.5 billion and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 42% to DKK 2,041 million. These historic results are in part due to the strong increase in freight volumes and passenger numbers between the Continent and the UK.
At 34% of the total, the DFDS North Sea freight services are DFDS' largest market. The volumes increased in 2015 by 10%, in part because of the improving British economy. DFDS shipped 12.2% more between Rotterdam (Vlaardingen) and Felixstowe and 12.9% more between Rotterdam and Immingham.
“This is a strong increase compared to 2014. DFDS therefore rotated its vessels at different times of the year to meet demand for capacity on the different routes in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea," says Mikael Mortensen, Route Director for Rotterdam - UK. This is why in December DFDS moved, among others, two of its largest ships - with a capacity for 307 trailers - to the daily freight route between Ghent and Gothenburg.
Rosyth - Zeebrugge route in profit
The freight volumes have also increased by 10% between Zeebrugge and Rosyth in Scotland. This route is now in profit for the first time. “The stricter EU legislation on sulphur, introduced in 2015, and the associated additional costs jeopardised the future of the route. In consultation with the Scottish Government, DFDS and the port of Rosyth therefore decided to invest 6 million euros in the route. The investment included a scrubber installation on board the ship, fuel optimisation and improved infrastructure in the Scottish terminal.
“The first steps have been taken and the terminal has been modified so that, as of last autumn, we can unload stacked containers at Rosyth. This increased the capacity of the ship and we were already able to benefit from this in 2015. We expect this trend to continue in 2016,” says Stein Est, Route Director.
Record year for the IJmuiden Ferry
2015 was also a very good year for the passenger ferry between IJmuiden and Newcastle, with a record 587,000 passengers and 121,500 vehicles.
You will find more about DFDS' results in 2015 at www.dfds.com/annual-review-2015.
About DFDS
DFDS provides shipping, terminal services, transport and logistics solutions to more than 8,000 freight customers. This is supported by a European network of road, rail and container routes, and DFDS' ferry routes on which we welcome approximately 6 million passengers per year. DFDS has an annual turnover of EUR 1.7 billion. The 6,600 employees work in 20 different countries.
In the Netherlands DFDS provides a daily ferry crossing between IJmuiden and Newcastle. There are approximately 25 departures from Rotterdam to Felixstowe and Immingham each week. At the freight terminal, DFDS provides freight transshipment and a workshop for trailers and trucks. In Belgium, DFDS provides terminal services, a daily freight route to Sweden and three sailings to Scotland each week.
For more information and pictures:
Mikael Mortensen Route Director for Rotterdam - UK Tel.: +31 102 084 600
Stein van Est Route Director for Rosyth - Zeebrugge Tel.: +32 490 114 912
Nienke van Dongen Press Officer Tel.: +32 495 581 387