DFDS Ferry Volumes Dip in June 2025 Amid Route Changes and Regional Challenges
DFDS reported a 1.7% decline in freight volumes to 3.4 million lane metres in June 2025, with a 7.1% drop in passenger numbers to 414,000, both adjusted for route changes. Regional disruptions, including a Swedish strike and new competition in the Mediterranean, contributed to the declines, though annual freight and passenger figures showed growth over the past twelve months.
Ferry – Freight: In June 2025, total freight volumes reached 3.4 million lane metres, down 1.7% from 2024 and 3.7% lower when adjusted for route changes. Year-to-date (YTD) growth rates were -0.2% unadjusted and -1.3% adjusted. North Sea volumes fell below 2024 levels, primarily due to a national strike in Sweden disrupting Gothenburg port operations.
Mediterranean volumes also declined due to capacity reductions from new ferry competition between Türkiye and Italy. Channel volumes were lower than 2024, adjusted for new Jersey routes, partly due to a shrinking Dover Strait market. Baltic Sea volumes remained stable, while Strait of Gibraltar volumes exceeded 2024 levels. Over the last twelve months (2025-24), total freight lane metres grew 3.7% to 41.5 million from 40.0 million in 2024-23, with a 0.3% increase when adjusted for route changes.
Ferry – Passenger: In June 2025, passenger numbers, adjusted for route changes, dropped 7.1% to 414,000 compared to 2024, with a YTD adjusted growth rate of -4.4%. The monthly decline was driven by lower Channel volumes. Car numbers in June fell 9.3% compared to 2024, adjusted for route changes. Over the last twelve months (2025-24), total passengers rose 10.4% to 6.1 million from 5.5 million in 2024-23, though the adjusted growth rate was -0.7%.
Notes: Freight adjustments account for corrected Strait of Gibraltar volumes reported in June 2024. Passenger adjustments reflect the sale of the Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route (end October 2025), capacity changes on the Tarifa-Tanger Ville route (exited early June 2025), and the addition of Jersey routes (from end March 2025).
DFDS ferry volumes |
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June |
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Last-12-months |
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Freight |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Change |
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Change |
Lane metres, '000 |
3,415 |
3,578 |
3,422 |
-4.3% |
|
38,991 |
40,001 |
41,466 |
3.7% |
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Passenger |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Change |
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Change |
Passengers, '000 |
416 |
608 |
450 |
-26.1% |
|
4,341 |
5,480 |
6,052 |
10.4% |
© Shippax
Jul 11 2025
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