July Shipping Growth Shows Resilience in European Markets

Freight and Passenger Volume Growth in July

In July, DFDS demonstrated remarkable growth in freight volumes despite the challenges of the previous years. The total reported freight in lane meters reached 3.6 million, reflecting a 3.4% increase over the last year. This uptick included a 1.2% adjustment considering the changes in routes.

Key Highlights from the Freight Sector

The North Sea route showed significant gains, recovering well from disruptions caused by a national strike in Sweden earlier. Likewise, Mediterranean volumes also saw an increase, positively impacted by the new connection between Egypt and Italy.

Additionally, the Channel experienced higher freight volumes, thanks to the introduction of new Jersey routes. The Baltic Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar routes similarly reported increases in their freight activities.

Passenger Volume Analysis

Moving on to passenger figures, the number of travelers in July was adjusted to reflect a decrease of 2.8%, totaling 719,000 compared to last year. This decline can be largely attributed to reduced Channel volumes, even as traffic in the Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar rose. Remarkably, car transport saw a slight increase of 0.5% over the previous year.

Throughout the past year, the total number of passengers reached 5.8 million, marking a modest increase of 1.5%. However, this growth also reflects an adjustment for route changes during the same period.

Understanding the Adjustments

The adjustments mentioned earlier account for various changes including the sale of certain routes and significant capacity alterations. Specifically, the sale of the Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route and adjustments involving the Tarifa-Tanger Ville due to capacity changes were key factors impacting these figures.

DFDS Ferry Volumes Comparison

The following highlights summarize the ferry volumes for both freight and passengers:

• Freight (Lane meters, '000)
  July 2023: 3,134, July 2024: 3,441, July 2025: 3,559 (Change: +3.4%)
• Total for the last twelve months: 38,739 (2023), 40,309 (2024), 41,591 (2025) (+3.2% change)

• Passengers ('000)
  July 2023: 693, July 2024: 970, July 2025: 764 (Change: -21.2%)
• Total for the last twelve months: 4,401 (2023), 5,757 (2024), 5,846 (2025) (+1.5% change)

Looking Ahead

DFDS continually releases these monthly ferry volume statistics to provide stakeholders with insight into the evolving trends impacting trade and travel across Europe. The forthcoming report detailing August 2025 volumes is expected to be made public on September 12, 2025, around 10:00 AM CET, providing further clarity on market movements.

Contact Information

For any inquiries, you may reach out to:

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 a robust transport network throughout Europe, boasting an annual revenue of approximately DKK 30 billion and a dedicated workforce of 16,500 employees. The company provides transportation services for goods via ferries, road, and rail, while also offering logistics and complementary solutions.

Founded in 1866, DFDS is headquartered in Copenhagen and has been a staple in the maritime industry, moving both cargo and passengers across numerous routes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the total freight volumes reported in July 2025?

The total freight volumes reported in July 2025 reached 3.6 million lane meters.

How much did passenger numbers drop in July 2025 compared to last year?

Passenger numbers were adjusted down by 2.8% to 719,000 compared to July 2024.

What were the main factors influencing the passenger volume change?

Reduced Channel volumes negatively impacted the overall passenger growth, although Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar volumes saw an increase.

When will the next volume report be published?

The next volume report is expected to be published on September 12, 2025, at around 10:00 AM CET.

What services does DFDS provide?

DFDS provides a wide range of transportation and logistics solutions, including ferry services for freight and passengers across Europe.

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