Insight into DFDS' November Volume Performance
In the ferry sector, November 2025 witnessed total freight volumes reaching 3.6 million lane meters. When compared to the same month in 2024, this represents a decrease of 1.8%. If we adjust for route changes, the decline stands at 3.8%. The year-to-date (YTD) growth rates reflect a slight drop of 0.4% and 1.8%, respectively.
Regional Volume Analysis
The North Sea routes saw a downturn in volumes when compared to 2024, primarily influenced by reduced activity across various routes. The Mediterranean area also experienced expected declines due to capacity restrictions. Meanwhile, Channel volumes remained stable compared to the previous year, thanks to growth from new Jersey volumes, which compensated for a slowdown observed in the overall Dover Strait traffic. Optimistically, both the Baltic Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar recorded higher freight volumes than in 2024.
Yearly Overview
When reviewing the totals for the last twelve months, the total freight lane meters transported saw a minimal increase of 0.1%, climbing from 41.4 million in the previous year to 41.5 million in 2025.
Passenger Volume Adjustments
Turning our focus to passenger numbers in November 2025, statistics show a notable decline of 10.5%, resulting in a total of 195,000 passengers. This adjustment reflects the impact of route modifications, marking an adjusted YTD passenger growth rate of -4.5%. Particularly, increases in passenger numbers via the Strait of Gibraltar were counterbalanced by reductions experienced in the Channel area. Furthermore, the number of vehicles transported in November recorded a decrease of 6.8%, again reflecting the adjustments related to route changes.
Annual Passenger Statistics
Over the last year, total passenger numbers fell to 5.3 million, a significant reduction of 19.7% compared to 6.6 million from 2024. After adjusting for route changes, this decline moderates to 5.5%, highlighting the challenges faced during this period.
Key Adjustments and Future Outlook
Notably, these figures have been adjusted for several strategic changes, including the cessation of the Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route in late October 2025, exiting the Tarifa-Tanger Ville route in early May 2025, and the introduction of new routes to Jersey effective from March 2025.
DFDS’s Commitment
DFDS remains committed to sharing monthly ferry volume updates, providing transparency and insights into trends shaping our European network, which supports trade and travel. The impending December 2025 volume report is scheduled for release on January 13, 2026, around 10.00 AM CET.
Contact Information
For inquiries or further details, please reach out to our dedicated team:
Torben Carlsen, CEO: +45 33 42 32 01
Karen Boesen, CFO: +45 20 58 58 40
Søren Brøndholt Nielsen, IR: +45 33 42 33 59
Dennis Kjærsgaard, Media: +45 42 30 38 47
About DFDS
DFDS operates an extensive transport network throughout Europe, achieving an annual revenue of DKK 30 billion and employing approximately 16,500 full-time staff. Our services encompass the movement of goods via ferry, road, and rail, alongside providing a range of related logistics solutions. Additionally, we transport both car and foot passengers on numerous short sea and overnight ferry routes. Since its inception in 1866, DFDS has maintained its headquarters in Copenhagen and is listed on the stock exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the total freight volumes for DFDS in November 2025?
The total freight volumes reached 3.6 million lane meters in November 2025.
How did passenger numbers change in November 2025 compared to 2024?
Passenger numbers decreased by 10.5%, totaling 195,000 passengers in November 2025.
What caused the decline in freight volumes?
The decline was impacted by reduced activity across North Sea routes and capacity constraints in the Mediterranean region.
When will DFDS publish its December volume report?
The December 2025 volume report is scheduled for publication on January 13, 2026, at around 10:00 AM CET.
What strategic changes affected DFDS's services?
Adjustments included the discontinuation of the Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route and the exit from the Tarifa-Tanger Ville route, among others.
