DFDS acquires RoPax ferry Stena Vinga
Every December, a towering Norwegian spruce lights up Trafalgar Square, a tradition that began in 1947 when Norway gifted the UK a tree as thanks for support during WWII. This year’s tree, “Ever Oslo,” stands 20 metres tall and 65 years old, chosen by experts and voted for online. Its journey began with a felling ceremony attended by Oslo’s Mayor and Westminster’s Lord Mayor, followed by the lights switch-on on 4th December, a celebration of history and friendship. DFDS proudly plays a key role in this tradition, transporting the tree across the North Sea. On 21st November, the festive season truly began as our colleagues joined the ceremony in Norway, kicking off a 1,300 km journey. As “Ever Oslo” sailed aboard Ficaria Seaways, decorations were added by crew, a cherished custom. This year also marked progress in sustainability: an electric truck carried the tree 165 km from Oslo to Brevik, and the final leg to London was electric-powered too. Christmas is a season of traditions, and we’re proud to help keep one alive. From all of us at DFDS, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
🎉 Esbjerg–UK route celebrates 150 years of maritime connection 🎉 Each year, the Esbjerg–UK route handles over 100,000 trailers, equal to 1.5 million lanemeters of cargo, making it a vital freight corridor in Northern Europe. While passenger services ran from 1925 to 2014, freight has always been the backbone. Early shipments included live cattle, evolving to bacon, butter, and eggs, key Danish exports. “We’re proud to be part of a legacy spanning 150 years. The route remains a symbol of enduring partnership between Denmark and the UK,” says DFDS CEO Torben Carlsen. “As trade dynamics shift - from Brexit to EU-UK resets - our role is to provide stability and keep goods moving.” Today, DFDS operates two vessels, Ark Dania and Ark Germania, offering six weekly sailings between Esbjerg and Immingham, with a crossing time of 18.5 hours. The route is part of DFDS’s extensive network of 30 ferry routes across Europe, the UK, Ireland, Türkiye, and North Africa. Historic milestones include the launch of the first ship Riberhuus in 1875, the introduction of refrigeration in 1896, diesel ships in 1925, and radar-equipped vessels post-WWII. The 1960s saw drive-through car decks and floating pontoons. Ro-Ro freight began in the 1970s, and passenger services ended in 2014 with Sirena Seaways. Freight continues to thrive, cementing the route’s legacy!
Celebrating Safety Excellence at DFDS Out of 82 nominations across DFDS, two outstanding winners have emerged: Steve Allott, HGV driver from Killingholme, received the Safety Champion Award, and the crew of the Petunia Seaways earned the Safety Squad Award. Steve was recognised for his initiative in improving the safety net system on high trailers. Working in his own time, he redesigned the “kite” mechanism using Velcro and repositioned bungee cords to ensure safer loading of paper reels. His solution is now the standard in Killingholme, significantly reducing injury risk. The Petunia Seaways crew impressed with their dynamic safety culture. Led by Chief Officer Christian Lauridsen, drills are conducted without prior notice, simulating real-life scenarios and encouraging learning through experience. Their approach has resulted in just one LTI in three years and a strong reporting culture. Both winners celebrated locally with their teams, marking the beginning of a new annual tradition. Other finalists included teams from Trieste, Grimsby, Rotterdam, and Dover, all demonstrating exceptional commitment to safety. Congratulations to all nominees for driving safety forward at DFDS!
In 1995, just 69,000 passengers made the journey between Amsterdam and Newcastle with DFDS. Today, that number has grown nearly tenfold with over 600,000 people crossing each year. Since its launch, the route has become a beloved journey for millions of passengers and an important freight corridor - anchored by a dedicated team, evolving vessels, and a spirit of resilience. As we celebrate 30 years of this iconic route, we look back at a journey shaped by people, progress, and perseverance. A route built on people. Behind every crossing is a team of passionate professionals – on board, in port and behind the scenes. From engineers and chefs to customer service agents and freight planners, it’s their dedication that keeps this route running smoothly, day and night. A toast to the team 🥂 Across DFDS, thousands of colleagues contribute to the success of this route – whether they’re preparing meals at sea, coordinating freight in the terminals, or supporting operations from offices across Europe. This anniversary is a tribute to them all. Here’s to the next 30 years of adventure, connection, and community.
