DFDS reports freight volume growth in April 2026 amid mixed regional performance

DFDS reported 2.0% freight growth to 3.55 million lane metres in April, with increases in North Sea, Mediterranean, Baltic, and Gibraltar routes. Channel volumes declined. Passenger numbers fell 16.1% to 416,000, mainly due to earlier Easter timing and operational issues.

In April 2026, DFDS transported 3.6 million lane metres of freight, a 2.0% increase from the previous year and 1.9% higher when adjusted for route changes. The company reported gains across most regions, with particularly strong performances in the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, and on routes to Egypt and Tunisia. North Sea and Strait of Gibraltar volumes also rose, though Channel volumes (primarily Dover Strait) fell in line with broader market trends.

Passenger traffic, however, decreased notably. The company carried 416,000 passengers in April, down 8.1% on an adjusted basis from 2025. DFDS attributed the decline primarily to Easter falling earlier in April 2026 — shifting pre-holiday travel into March — combined with fewer departures on the Strait of Gibraltar due to operational issues.

Twelve-Month Trends

Over the last twelve months, freight lane metres rose 0.8% to 41.8 million from 41.5 million in the prior period, though adjusted figures showed a 1.1% decline. Passenger numbers fell more sharply, dropping 20.6% to 5.0 million passengers (5.2% lower adjusted for route changes).The figures were released today in DFDS Investor News No. 17. The company provides monthly ferry volume updates to track trends across its European route network, which supports both trade and travel.

DFDS ferry volumes
	April				Last-12-months
Freight	2024	2025	2026	Change	2024	2025	2026	Change
Lane metres, '000	3,497	3,481	3,553	2.0%	39,611	41,522	41,846	0.8%

Passenger	2024	2025	2026	Change	2024	2025	2026	Change
Passengers, '000	507	496	416	-16.1%	5,099	6,332	5,026	-20.6%