DFDS reports mixed May growth as freight steadies but passengers decline

DFDS transported 3.6 million freight lane metres in May 2026, down 1.8% year-on-year, though adjusted for route changes the decline was 1.7%. Regionally, North Sea and Baltic volumes improved, whilst Mediterranean performance weakened partly due to Turkish public holidays. The Strait of Gibraltar and Egypt–Tunisia routes showed continued strength.

Passenger volumes fell 1.9% year-on-year to 443,000, adjusted for route changes, primarily from reduced Gibraltar sailings offset by stronger Channel demand. Over the last twelve months, freight lane metres increased 0.3% to 41.8 million, but passengers declined significantly to 5.0 million, down 14.2% year-on-year or 5.0% when adjusted for network changes.

The results reflect seasonal volatility and regional divergence across DFDS's ferry network.

DFDS ferry volumes
	May				Last-12-months
Freight	2024	2025	2026	Change	2024	2025	2026	Change
Lane metres, '000	3,510	3,672	3,604	-1.8%	39,839	41,658	41,765	0.3%

Passenger	2024	2025	2026	Change	2024	2025	2026	Change
Passengers, '000	574	452	443	-1.9%	5,288	5,849	5,018	-14.2%