DFDS Company Overview and Services

DFDS is a leading ferry and biofuels operator in Europe. Founded in 1866, the company has been in operation for over 150 years.

DFDS offers a range of services, including passenger and freight transport, as well as logistics and supply chain management.

The company operates a fleet of over 30 vessels, connecting Europe's major ports and cities.

Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab was formed on 11 December 1866, as a merger of the three biggest Danish steamship companies under the leadership of a Danish financier Carl Frederik Tietgen.

The company was initially based in the Prior House at Bredgade 33.

Operations began on 1 January 1867 with 19 ships with Copenhagen as the main starting point.

The company's routes at the time were from Denmark to Norway, the Baltic, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Iceland, and The Faeroe Islands, with ships carrying both freight and passengers.

As the company grew, new connections were opened to Sweden, France, the Mediterranean and Black Sea, as well as North America and South America.

In addition, DFDS operated various domestic services in Denmark.

After the continued expansion of the fleet in the 1880s, DFDS became one of the world's ten largest ship-owning companies.

The Scandinavian-American Line was established after the takeover of Dampskibsselskabet Thingvalla in 1898.

A long relationship with shipbuilder Helsingørs Jernskibs og Maskinbyggeri A/S (Elsinore Shipbuilding & Engineering Co.) began with delivery of the 1,386 GRT steamer Arno in 1898 for service in the Mediterranean.

The last ship Helsingørs delivered was Dana Minerva, a 1,599 GRT roll on/roll off ship, in 1978.

DFDS operates a vast network of shipping routes, with 25 routes spanning across the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and the English Channel. They have a fleet of 50 freight and passenger ships.

Their shipping activities are integrated into the DFDS Group, which includes DFDS Tor Line. This indicates a strong focus on maritime operations.

DFDS operates on ferry routes around Scandinavia, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and more. They have a significant presence in these regions.

Some of the ferry routes served by DFDS include:

The majority of these routes are active year-round, providing consistent service to customers.

We operate a transport network in and around Europe with an annual revenue of DKK 30bn and 16,500 full-time employees.

Our ferry and logistics network bridges Europe with a significant presence, covering 30 ferry routes and connecting various locations through 8 port terminals.

The network extends further with 6 rail lines and over 100 logistics locations, showcasing the company's extensive reach.

DFDS employs 16,500 full-time employees, which is a testament to the company's size and scope.

Their annual revenue of DKK 30bn is a significant figure, highlighting the company's financial stability and growth.

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DFDS operates a significant fleet of passenger vessels, with 11 ships, including the Calais Seaways and Crown Seaways.

These ferries offer a range of amenities, such as shops and restaurants, to make your journey more enjoyable.

On board, you'll find clean and well-equipped spaces, ensuring a comfortable travel experience across Europe.

DFDS has a vast network of ferry routes that cater to different needs and preferences. Their routes are updated twice a month to ensure that passengers have the most up-to-date information.

All DFDS ferry routes can be found on their website, ranked by demand, making it easy to choose the most popular routes.

DFDS has a fleet of 11 passenger vessels, including the Calais Seaways and Crown Seaways.

These vessels offer a range of facilities for passengers, such as shops and restaurants.

You'll find clean, well-equipped spaces on board, maintained for safety and comfort.

DFDS vessels have additional facilities for people with disabilities, such as adapted cabins, adapted toilets and lifts.

If you're traveling with pets, you'll be happy to know that DFDS ferries have specially designed infrastructures for them, including pet toilets and designated deck areas.

You can choose to leave your pet in a vehicle or take them with you in the cabin, but just remember to keep them out of the commodore cabin, shared cabin and reclining seat area.

Make sure you have your pet's passport with you when traveling by ferry.

DFDS Container Line offers direct port-to-port services between Ireland and mainland Europe. This service was established in August 1997.

The acquisition of Norfolkline Containers by DFDS A/S was completed on October 2, 2006. This acquisition marked a significant milestone for the company.

DFDS Container Line transports containers between Ireland and the Netherlands. This service provides a convenient and efficient way to transport goods between these two regions.

The operation of the DFDS Container Line was integrated into DFDS following the acquisition of Norfolkline in 2010.

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DFDS offers great savings for families, with discounts available for children aged 0-15, making it easier to plan your next trip.

You can enjoy a 50% off cabins deal on the Amsterdam-Newcastle mini cruise during Black Friday, so be sure to book your journey now.

Passengers carrying hunting or sporting weapons or ammunition must declare this at the time of booking and follow strict conditions.

DFDS has a pet-friendly policy, allowing pets on many of their routes.

If you're planning to bring your pet along, you'll need to purchase a pet ticket, which costs £15 (18€) per pet on the Dover-France route, or £20 (24€) on the Newhaven-Dieppe route.

Pets usually stay in your vehicle with food, water, bedding, and familiar items, but on the Newhaven-Dieppe route, you can book a dog-friendly kennel for £20 per dog.

Only certified guide, hearing, or assistance dogs are allowed in onboard public spaces.

You'll need to bring your pet's documents, including a Pet ID or passport, Animal Health Certificate or valid EU Pet Passport, microchip, rabies vaccination, and tapeworm treatment (if traveling to the UK).

Here are the pet documents you'll need to bring:

Remember to bring food, water, bedding, and toys for your pet, and make sure they're at least 16 weeks old and fit to travel.

DFDS Lisco was a Lithuanian subsidiary acquired by DFDS in 2001, operating five lines with seven ferries connecting Germany to Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia, as well as Germany to Sweden.

It had subsidiaries in Germany, Sweden, Latvia, and Russia, and was integrated into DFDS Seaways following the acquisition of Norfolkline in 2010.

DFDS Lys Line was founded in 1970 and transported freight from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to various European countries, offering door-to-door transportation.

The operation of DFDS Lys Line was also integrated into DFDS following the acquisition of Norfolkline in 2010.

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DFDS Lisco was a Lithuanian subsidiary acquired by DFDS in 2001. It operated five lines with seven ferries for passengers and freight connecting Germany to Lithuania, Latvia, and Russia as well as Germany to Sweden. DFDS Lisco had subsidiaries in Germany (DFDS Lisco GmbH), Sweden (DFDS Tor Line AB), Latvia (DFDS Tor Line SIA), and Russia (OOO DFDS Lisco). The operation of DFDS Lisco was integrated into DFDS Seaways following the acquisition of Norfolkline in 2010.

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Lys Line was a company that transported freight from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to various European countries.

The company's routes included Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, offering door-to-door transportation.

DFDS Lys Line was founded in 1970 and was later integrated into DFDS following the acquisition of Norfolkline in 2010.

DFDS, a Danish carrier, has a contractual obligation to provide a sufficient number of ferry rotations, but not necessarily a high-speed service to the UK during the winter months.

The company has announced that it will be running slower sailings to Portsmouth due to lower passenger numbers during the winter season. This decision has been met with criticism from islanders and businesses in Jersey.

In fact, the Jersey Hospitality Association has written to the Chief Minister, expressing frustration and concern that Jersey's connectivity needs are being seen as subordinate to DFDS's profitability.

DFDS has said it's under no contractual duty to provide a fast-ferry service to the UK this winter.

The company's Jersey route director Chris Parker explained that only using the slower Stena Vinga to Portsmouth will allow it to invest in new boats and the "long-term sustainability" of routes.

DFDS's contractual obligation is to run a sufficient number of northbound and southbound rotations, for both passenger and freight services.

It actually runs in excess of that requirement for most of the year, according to Parker.

The company promised a £300m investment in vessels for Jersey and that is firmly in their business plan.

This investment is crucial for DFDS to create long-term sustainability and reinvest in vessels, as Parker emphasized.

The Stena Vinga has significant capacity, which could carry three times as many people as are scheduled to travel between November and March.

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