In September 2025, DFDS experienced a slight increase in freight volumes, while the number of passengers remains below last year’s level. This is shown by the shipping company’s latest traffic figures.
The total freight volumes on DFDS’ ferry routes reached 3.5 million lane meters in September, which is 0.8 percent above the same month last year. However, when adjusted for changes in the route network, this corresponds to a decrease of 1.2 percent.
Looking at the first nine months of the year, the growth in freight volumes is marginal at 0.2 percent, and adjusted for route changes, the development is at -1.2 percent.
In the North Sea, freight volumes were largely unchanged compared to 2024, as most routes have had stable volumes.
In the Mediterranean, volumes declined, however, due to a continued drop in Turkish automobile production and weaker domestic demand. DFDS has also reduced capacity on one of the routes to adapt to the competitive situation.
In the Channel, volumes increased – especially driven by the new routes to and from Jersey, while the Baltic Sea continues to show progress. An increase compared to last year was also recorded on the Strait of Gibraltar.
Overall, in the last 12 months (October 2024 to September 2025), DFDS transported 41.7 million lane meters, which is 2.3 percent more than the previous year. Adjusted for route changes, the growth corresponds to 1.2 percent.
Passenger numbers fall
Passenger traffic, on the other hand, fell. In September, 392,000 passengers traveled on DFDS ferries, which – adjusted for changes in the route network – is a decrease of 7.4 percent compared to 2024. The number of cars fell by 5.7 percent.
The largest decline is in the Channel, while the Baltic Sea advanced. For the entire year to date, the passenger count is down 4.1 percent after correction for route changes.
Over the last 12 months, the total number of passengers has fallen by 14.5 percent to 5.5 million, compared to 6.4 million the previous year. However, when taking into account changes in the route network – including the sale of the Oslo–Frederikshavn–Copenhagen route and the addition of the Jersey routes – the development corresponds to a weak growth of 0.4 percent.
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DFDS ferry volumes
September
Last-12-months
Freight
2023
2024
2025
Change
2023
2024
2025
Change
Lane metres, ‘000
3,320
3,475
3,502
0.8%
38,512
40,748
41,667
2.3%
Passenger
2023
2024
2025
Change
2023
2024
2025
Change
Passengers, ‘000
405
565
423
-25.0%
4,458
6,409
5,477
-14.5%
Source: DFDS
