View source for DFDS Seaways

{{short description|Danish shipping company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2011}}
{{Infobox company
| name = DFDS Seaways
| logo = File:DFDS logo 2015.svg
| caption = 
| type = 
| genre = Ferry Company
| fate = 
| predecessor = [[DFDS Tor Line]]<br>[[DFDS Lisco]]<br>[[Scandinavian Seaways]]<br>[[Norfolkline]]
| successor = 
| foundation = 
| founder = 
| defunct = 
| location_city = 
| location_country = 
| location = [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]]
| locations = 
| area_served = [[Baltic Sea]]<br>[[English Channel]]<br>[[North Sea]]<br>[[Strait of Gibraltar]]
| key_people = 
| industry = Freight Transportation<br>Passenger/Car Transportation
| products = 
| services = 
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| aum = 
| assets = 
| equity = 
| owner = 
| num_employees = 
| parent = [[DFDS]]
| divisions = [[DFDS Seaways France]]
| subsid = 
| homepage = [https://www.dfds.com www.dfds.com]
| footnotes = 
| intl = 
}}
[[File:Crown Seaways 22 juli 2024 by Jungmar.jpeg|thumb|''Crown Seaways'' in Oslofjord ]]
[[File:King seaways IJmuiden, December 2011.jpg|thumb|''King Seaways'' in IJmuiden]]
[[File:Stralsund, Volkswerft, IMO 9609952 Ark Germania (2013-07-30) 2, by Klugschnacker in Wikipedia.JPG|thumb|''Ark Germania'' seen at the shipyard now serves on the Esbjerg route]]

'''DFDS Seaways''' is a Danish shipping company that operates passenger and freight services across [[northern Europe]]. Following the acquisition of [[Norfolkline]] in 2010, [[DFDS]] restructured its other shipping divisions ([[DFDS Tor Line]] and DFDS Lisco) into the previously passenger-only operation of DFDS Seaways.

== History ==
DFDS Seaways renewed its fleet in 2006, purchasing [[MS King Seaways|MS ''King of Scandinavia'']] and [[MS Princess Seaways|MS ''Princess of Norway'']] to replace the last ships still in service that dated from the 1970s. The company has acquired a reputation for purchasing used ships, as well as for taking over the build contracts or taking delivery of newbuilds originally ordered by other companies. The last time DFDS Seaways ordered a newbuild of its own was in 1978. DFDS Seaways stopped serving [[Sweden]] in 2006, when [[MS Moby Otta|MS ''Princess of Scandinavia'']] was taken out of service and the [[Copenhagen]]–[[Oslo]] service stopped calling at [[Helsingborg]]. In May 2008, DFDS made public its plan to close down the loss-making [[United Kingdom]]–[[Norway]] service on 1 September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-news/DFDS-Seaways-to-close-route.4122783.jp |title=DFDS Seaways to close route with loss of 340 jobs |access-date=8 July 2008 |last=McLean |first=Anthony |date=27 May 2008 |publisher=NewsGuardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528142203/http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/latest-news/DFDS-Seaways-to-close-route.4122783.jp |archive-date=28 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dfds.com/DFDSGROUP/EN/Press/Companyannouncement.htm |title=Extensive improvement plan to safeguard earnings at DFDS Seaways |access-date=8 July 2008 |date=27 May 2008 |work=DFDS press release |publisher=DFDS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828160633/http://www.dfds.com/DFDSGROUP/EN/Press/Companyannouncement.htm |archive-date=August 28, 2008 }}</ref> [[MS Moby Dada|MS ''Queen of Scandinavia'']], the ship that was used in the service, has since been chartered to [[St Peter Line]].

In July 2010, DFDS acquired [[Norfolkline]] from [[A. P. Moller-Maersk Group|Maersk]]. The Norfolkline routes and vessels were integrated into DFDS Seaways. DFDS Seaways now had the [[Dover]]–[[Dunkirk]] route, and launched the new Dover–[[Calais]] route in February 2012.

DFDS announced in 2015 that it had unveiled a new logo, which saw 'DFDS' in a new font, and the logo with the white [[Maltese cross]] losing its outer circle; it announced furthermore that the DFDS Seaways subsidiary would be shortened to just 'DFDS' carrying a dark blue hull in the same font instead of the traditional light blue hull, and a Maltese cross with a circle. The first vessels to receive the new livery—and the new name scheme that would eventually be rolled out throughout the whole fleet—were the former [[MyFerryLink]] ferries [[MS Rodin|Rodin]] (soon to become ''Cote des Dunes'') and the [[MS Berlioz|Berlioz]] (soon to become the ''Cote des Flandres''). All the fleet were to lose the 'Seaways' suffix from their names, and would instead receive local preference names.{{Update inline|reason=Apparently, this didn't happen. Update with references? |date=August 2021}}.

In 2018, DFDS ordered three RoPax newbuild vessels - one was an [[E-Flexer-class ferry|E-Flexer]] on charter from [[Stena RoRo]] which entered service as the ''Côte d'Opale'' in August 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://trans.info/en/new-dfds-ferry-cote-d-opale-makes-maiden-voyage-to-dover-249419| date=26 August 2021 |title=New DFDS ferry Côte D'Opale makes maiden voyage to Dover
|website=trans.info}}</ref> and two RoPaxes for Baltic Sea operations.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.dfds.com/en/about/media/news/dfds-orders-ro-pax-ships-in-china| date= 26 August 2021 |title= DFDS orders RoPax ships in China |website= DFDS}}</ref> The first of the Baltic twins, named ''Aura Seaways'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:6541946/mmsi:219028116/imo:9851036/vessel:AURA_SEAWAYS| date= 26 August 2021 |title= ''Aura Seaways'' |website= MarineTraffic}}</ref> was launched in late 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dfds.com/en/about/media/news/successful-launch-of-new-ro-pax| date= 26 August 2021 |title= Successful launch of new RoPax |website= DFDS}}</ref> and had an inclination test in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dfds.com/en/about/media/news/newbuilding-for-the-baltics-soon-ready-for-sea-trials| date= 26 August 2021 |title= Newbuilding for the Baltics soon ready for sea trials |website= DFDS}}</ref> The sea trials took place in the middle of 2021. Now 2 new ferries "Aura Seaways" and " Luna Seaways" cruise Klaipėda–Karlshamn line.

In September 2019, DFDS had announced that it would add two new ships, the MS Moby Wonder and MS Moby Aki, to the [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]–[[IJmuiden]] route in early 2020. The former ships, the [[MS King Seaways]] and [[MS Princess Seaways]], would in turn have been sold to [[Moby Lines]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web | url=https://www.dfds.com/en-gb/passenger-ferries/customer-service/newcastle-amsterdam-new-ship-information | title=Newcastle-Amsterdam New Ship Information | publisher=DFDS}}</ref> This plan was later abandoned in October 2019 due to Moby Lines being unable to commit to the delivery of the ships with ongoing financial issues over vessel mortgages.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mairtime |first1=Baird |title=DFDS cancels planned vessel swap with Moby |url=https://www.bairdmaritime.com/work-boat-world/passenger-vessel-world/ro-pax/dfds-cancels-planned-vessel-swap-with-moby/ |website=Baird Maritime |date=31 October 2019 |access-date=12 January 2023}}</ref>

On 10 June 2024 DFDS announced the sale of one of their oldest lines, the mostly passenger focused Copenhagen–Frederikshavn–Oslo, to the Swedish company [[Gotlandsbolaget]], citing a strategic focus on transport and logistics services.<ref>{{cite web |title=DFDS to sell Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route to Gotlandsbolaget |url=https://www.dfds.com/en/about/media/news/dfds-to-sell-oslo-frederikshavn-copenhagen-route-to-gotlandsbolaget |website=DFDS |date=10 June 2024 |access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> The sale is expected to be completed in October 2024.

On 3 December 2024, it was announced that DFDS was awarded the contract to operate lifeline ferry services for [[Jersey]] for 15 years from spring 2025, taking over from [[Condor Ferries]].<ref>{{cite web |title=DFDS Seaways awarded contract to deliver Jersey-only ferry services
|publisher=ITV News Channel| url=https://www.itv.com/news/channel/2024-12-03/dfds-seaways-awarded-jersey-only-ferry-contract }}</ref> The contract was signed on 31 December 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jersey government signs contract with DFDS to run Island's ferry services |publisher=Jersey Evening Post| url=https://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2024/12/31/jersey-government-signs-contract-with-dfds-to-run-islands-ferry-services/ }}</ref>

== Routes ==

=== Passenger and freight ===
Baltic Sea:
*[[Klaipėda]]—[[Kiel]]
*[[Klaipėda]]—[[Karlshamn]]

English Channel: 
*[[Dover]]—[[Calais]]
*[[Dover]]—[[Dunkirk]]
*[[Dunkirk]]—[[Rosslare Europort|Rosslare]]<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.irishtimes.com/life-style/travel/2022/08/05/rosslare-dunkirk-crossing-could-be-boon-for-southeast/|title= Eoghan Dalton, 'Rosslare-Dunkirk Crossing Could be Boon for Southeast'|date= 5 August 2022 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>
*[[Jersey]]–[[Guernsey]]
*[[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]]–[[Dieppe]]
*[[Poole]]–[[Jersey]]
*[[Portsmouth]]–[[Jersey]] 
*[[Saint-Malo]]–[[Jersey]]

North Sea:
*[[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]—[[IJmuiden]]
*[[Paldiski]]—[[Kapellskär]]

=== Freight-only ===
Baltic Sea:
*[[Klaipėda]]–[[Køge]]–[[Fredericia]]

North Sea:
*[[Vlaardingen]]—[[Felixstowe]]
*[[Vlaardingen]]—[[Immingham]]
*[[Cuxhaven]]—[[Immingham]]
*[[Esbjerg]]—[[Immingham]]
*[[Gothenburg]]—[[Brevik, Norway|Brevik]]—[[Ghent]]
*[[Gothenburg]]—[[Brevik, Norway|Brevik]]–[[Immingham]]
*[[Gothenburg]]—[[Zeebrugge]]

Strait of Gibraltar:
*[[Algeciras]]—[[Tanger Med]]
*[[Algeciras]]–[[Tanger Med]]
*[[Algeciras]]–[[Ceuta]]
*[[Marseille]]–[[Tunis]]

== Fleet ==
DFDS Seaways operates a large fleet of [[Cruiseferry|cruiseferries]], [[High-speed craft|high-speed crafts]], [[Roll-on/roll-off#ROPAX|ro-pax]] and [[Roll-on/roll-off|ro-ro]] ferries. Following restructuring in 2010, all shipping activities (including those of [[DFDS Tor Line]], DFDS Lisco and FRS Iberia/Maroc) were rebranded as DFDS Seaways.

=== Current fleet ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Ship || Type || Built || Entered<br />service || Route || Tonnage || Flag || IMO number 
!Notes|| Image
|-
| {{MS|Athena Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry ||align="Center" | 2007 ||align="Center" | 2013 || [[Dunkerque]]–[[Rosslare Harbour|Rosslare]] || {{GT|24,950}} || {{flag|Lithuania}} || 9350680 
| || [[File:Athena Seaways IMO 9350680 F Kiel 05-09-2021.jpg|center|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Aura Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry ||align="Center" | 2021 ||align="Center" | 2021 || [[Klaipėda]]–[[Kiel]]|| {{GT|56,043}} || {{flag|Denmark}} || 9851036
| || [[File:Aura Seaways Maiden Call Kiel XI 05.jpg|200px]]
|-
| {{MS|King Seaways}} || [[Cruiseferry]] ||align="Center" | 1987 ||align="Center" | 2006 || [[IJmuiden]]–[[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] || {{GT|31,395}} || {{flag|Denmark}} || 8502406
| || [[File:King Seaways (ship, 1987) 001.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| {{HSC|Levante Jet}} || [[High-speed craft]] ferry ||align="Center"| 2015 ||align="Center" | 2021 ||[[Poole]]– [[Jersey]] || {{GT|5,537}} || {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}} || 9722819
| ||
|-
| {{MS|Luna Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry ||align="Center" | 2021 ||align="Center" | 2022 || [[Klaipėda]]–[[Karlshamn]] || {{GT|56,043}} || {{flag|Denmark}} || 9851048
| ||
|-
| {{MS|Optima Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 1999 ||align="Center" | 2010 || [[Dunkerque]]–[[Rosslare Harbour|Rosslare]] || {{GT|25,206}} || {{flag|Lithuania}} || 9188427
| || [[File:Ms lisco optima.jpg|200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Patria Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry ||align="Center" | 1992 ||align="Center" | 2004 || [[Klaipėda]]–[[Karlshamn]] || {{GT|18,332}} || {{flag|Lithuania}} || 8917390
| || [[File:Patria Seaways entering Kiel I.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Princess Seaways}} || [[Cruiseferry]] ||align="Center" | 1986 ||align="Center" | 2006 || [[IJmuiden]]–[[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] || {{GT|31,360}} || {{flag|Denmark}} || 8502391
| || [[File:Princess Seaways (cropped).jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Regina Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2010 ||align="Center" | 2011 || [[Klaipėda]]–[[Karlshamn]]|| {{GT|25,518}} || {{flag|Lithuania}} || 9458535
| || [[File:Navío Regina Seaways, Kiel, Alemania, 2019-08-30, DD 19.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Sirena Seaways}} ||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry ||align="Center" | 2002 ||align="Center" | 2013 || [[Paldiski]]–[[Kapellskär]] || {{GT|22,382}} || {{flag|Lithuania}} || 9212163
| || [[File:MS Sirena Seaways.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MV|Stena Vinga}} ||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center"| 2005 ||align="Center" | 2025 || [[Portsmouth]]–[[Jersey]] || {{GT|14,551}} || {{flag|Sweden}} ||9323699
| Chartered from [[Stena Line]]  || [[File:Stena_Vinga.jpg|200px]]
|-
| {{HSC|Tarifa Jet}} || [[High-speed craft]] ferry ||align="Center"| 1997  ||align="Center" | 2006 ||[[Jersey]]–[[Guernsey]] [[Saint-Malo]]– [[Jersey]] || {{GT|5,007}} || {{flag|United Kingdom|civil}} || 9150099 
| || [[File:Hsc tarifa jet.jpg|200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Victoria Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2009 ||align="Center" | 2010 || [[Klaipėda]]–[[Kiel]]|| {{GT|25,518}} || {{flag|Lithuania}} || 9350721
| || [[File:Victoria Seaways IMO 9350721 R Kiel 14-07-2022 (2).jpg|200px]]
|-
! colspan="10" |[[DFDS Seaways France]]
|-
| {{MS|Côte D'Albâtre}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2005 || align="Center" | 2006 || [[Dieppe]]–[[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]] || {{GT|18,564}} || {{flag|France}} || 9320128
| || [[File:Ferry Côte d'Albâtre, Dieppe-8112-13.jpg|frameless|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Côte des Dunes}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2001 || align="Center" | 2016 || [[Dover]]–[[Calais]] || {{GT|33,796}} || {{flag|France}} || 9232527
| || [[File:Côte_des_Dunes_Calais_Poste_7.JPG|frameless|200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Côte des Flandres}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2005 || align="Center" | 2016 || [[Dover]]–[[Calais]] || {{GT|33,796}} || {{flag|France}} || 9305843
| || [[File:SeaFrance_Berlioz_reborn_as_DFDS_Côte_des_Flandres.jpg|frameless|200px]]
|-
| [[E-Flexer-class ferry|MS Côte d'Opale]] || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2020 || align="Center" | 2021 || [[Dover]]–[[Calais]] || {{GT|40,331}} || {{flag|France}} || 9858321
| ||[[File:Côte d'Opale arriving in Calais new harbour.jpg|frameless|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Delft Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2006 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Dover]]–[[Dunkirk|Dunkerque]] || {{GT|35,923}} || {{flag|Great Britain}} || 9293088
| || [[File:Delft-seaways.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Dover Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2006 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Dover]]–[[Dunkirk|Dunkerque]] || {{GT|35,923}} || {{flag|Great Britain}} || 9318345
| || [[File:Dover Seaways - DFDS Seeways - off the coste of France-3815.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Dunkerque Seaways}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2005 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Dover]]–[[Dunkirk|Dunkerque]] || {{GT|35,923}} || {{flag|Great Britain}} || 9293076
| || [[File:Dunkerque Seaways sailing towards Dover 01.JPG|200x200px]]
|-
| {{MS|Seven Sisters}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 2006 || align="Center" | 2006 || [[Dieppe]]–[[Newhaven, East Sussex|Newhaven]] || {{GT|18,564}} || {{flag|France}} || 9320130
| || [[File:Filling the frame - 'Seven Sisters' in the tightest section of the harbour entrance, opposite the Hope Inn - geograph.org.uk - 1466196.jpg|frameless|200x200px]]
|-
! colspan="10" |DFDS / FRS Iberia Maroc
|-
| {{HSC|Ceuta Jet}} || [[High-speed craft]] ferry || align="Center" | 1998 || align="Center" | 1998 || [[Tarifa]]–[[Tangier|Tanger Ville]] || {{GT|2,273}} || {{flag|Cyprus}}
|| 9174323 
| || 
|-
| {{MV|Kattegat}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 1996 || align="Center" | 1996 || [[Algeciras]]–[[Tanger Med]] || {{GT|14,221}} || {{flag|Cyprus}} || 9112765 
| || 
|-
| {{MV|Tanger Express}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry || align="Center" | 1996 || align="Center" | 1996 || [[Algeciras]]–[[Tanger Med]] || {{GT|14,221}} || {{flag|Cyprus}} || 9112777 
| || 
|-
! colspan="10" |Freight vessels
|-
|{{MV|Arrow}} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 1998 || align="Center" | 2025 || [[Portsmouth]]–[[Jersey]] ||{{GT|7,606}}||{{flag|Isle of Man}}||9119414 ||Chartered from [[Isle of Man Steam Packet Company|IoMSPCo]]||[[File:MS_Arrow_Cargo_Ferry_at_St_Helier_Harbour.jpg|frameless|200px]]
|-
| ''[[Artemis Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2005 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Mersin]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|29,060}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9293428
| Renamed from ''UN Marmara'' in 2020.||
|-
| [[Aspendos Seaways]]||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2005 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Mersin]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|29,060}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9322425
| Renamed from ''UN Pendik'' in 2019.||
|-
| [[Assos Seaways]]||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2005 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Pendik]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|29,060}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9293416
| Renamed from ''Saffet Ullusoy'' in 2020.||
|-
| ''[[Begonia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2004 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Port of Gothenburg|Gothenburg]]–[[Port of Ghent|Ghent]]–[[Odense]]|| align="Center" |{{GT|37,939}}|| {{flag|Denmark}}|| 9262089
| || [[File:Aerial photo of Gothenburg 2013-10-27 089.jpg|200px]]
|-
| ''[[Botnia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2000 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Klaipėda]]–[[Køge]]|| align="Center" |  {{GT|11,530}} || {{flag|Lithuania}} || 9192129
| || [[File:Tor Botnia, DFDS Tor Line in Kiel Port-3523.jpg|200px]]
|-
| ''[[Britannia Seaways]]''|| [[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2000 || align="Center" | 2011 || [[Port of Immingham|Immingham]]–[[Port of Esbjerg|Esbjerg]] || {{GT|24,613}}|| {{flag|Denmark}} || 9153032
| || [[File:Britannia Seaways (ship, 1999) in Esbjerg.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| ''[[Cappadocia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2002 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Mersin]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|26,525}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9242388
| Renamed from ''UND Atilim'' in 2019.||
|-
| ''[[Ephesus Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2019 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Pendik]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|60,465}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}|| 9816830
| ||
|-
| ''[[Dardanelles Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2006 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Sète|Sete]]–[[Yalova]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|29,060}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9322437
| Renamed from ''UN Trieste'' in 2019.||
|-
| ''[[Ficaria Seaways]]''|| [[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2006 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Port of Gothenburg|Gothenburg]]–[[Port of Immingham|Immingham]]–[[Brevik, Norway|Brevik]]|| align="Center" |{{GT|37,939}}|| {{flag|Denmark}}|| 9320568
| ||[[File:Ficaria Seaways.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| ''[[Finlandia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2000 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Port of Gothenburg|Gothenburg]]–[[Port of Immingham|Immingham]]|| align="Center" |{{GT|11,530}} || {{flag|Denmark}}|| 9198721
| ||
|-
| ''[[Flandria Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2020 || align="Center" | 2020 || [[Gothenburg]]–[[Zeebrugge]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|60,465}}|| {{flag|Denmark}}|| 9860142
| ||
|-
| ''[[Freesia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2004 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Port of Gothenburg|Gothenburg]]–[[Port of Immingham|Immingham]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|37,939}}|| {{flag|Denmark}}|| 9274848
| || [[File:Freesia Seaways (2).JPG|200px]]
|-
|''[[Hollandia Seaways]]'' ||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2019 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Vlaardingen]]–[[Immingham]] || {{GT|60,465}} || {{flag|Denmark}} || 9832585
| ||
|-
|''[[Humbria Seaways]]'' || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2020 || align="Center" | 2020 ||[[Gothenburg]]–[[Ghent]] || {{GT|60,465}} || {{flag|Denmark}} || 9832597
| ||
|-
| ''[[Galata Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2010 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Mersin]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|34,215}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}|| 9422134
| Renamed from ''Cemil Bayülgen'' in 2020.||
|-
| ''[[Gallipoli Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2001 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Sète]]–[[Yalova]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|26,525}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}|| 9215476
| ||
|-
| ''[[Magnolia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2003 || align="Center" | 2010  || [[Cuxhaven]]–[[Port of Immingham|Immingham]]|| align="Center" |{{GT|32,523}}|| {{flag|Denmark}}|| 9259496
| || [[File:Magnolia Seaways leaving Esbjerg Harbour.jpg|200x200px]]
|-
| ''[[Myra Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2009 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Sète|Sete]]–[[İzmir|Izmir]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|34,236}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9422122
| ||
|-
| ''[[Olympos Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2002 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Mersin]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|26,525}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9242390
| Renamed from ''UND Birlik'' in 2019.||
|-
| ''[[Pergamon Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2013 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Patras]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|31,595}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}|| 9506277
| Renamed from UN Istanbul in 2020.||
|-
| ''[[Petunia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel|| align="Center" | 2004 || align="Center" | 2010  || [[Port of Gothenburg|Gothenburg]]–[[Port of Ghent|Ghent]]|| align="Center" |{{GT|32,523}}|| {{flag|Denmark}}|| 9259501
| || [[File:Tor Petunia i Göteborg's hamn.JPG|200px]]
|-
| ''[[Primula Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2004 || align="Center" | 2010 || [[Port of Gothenburg|Gothenburg]]–[[Port of Ghent|Ghent]]–[[Brevik, Norway|Brevik]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|37,985}}|| {{flag|Denmark}}|| 9259513
| ||[[File:Primula Seaways (1).JPG|200px]]
|-
|''[[Scandia Seaways]]'' || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2021 || align="Center" | 2021 || [[Vlaardingen]]–[[Immingham]] || {{GT|60,465}} || {{flag|Denmark}} || 9864681
| ||
|-
|''[[Selandia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 1998 || align="Center" | 2010 ||[[Cuxhaven]]–[[Port of Immingham|Immingham]] ||{{GT|24,803}} ||{{flag|Denmark}} ||9157284
| ||[[File:Selandia Seaways (ship, 1998) IMO 9157284 leaving Port of Rotterdam pic1.JPG|200px]]
|-
|''[[Suecia Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 1999 || align="Center" | 2011 || [[Port of Felixstowe|Felixstowe]]–[[Vlaardingen]] ||{{GT|24,613}} ||{{flag|Denmark}} || 9153020
| ||[[File:DFDS Seaways - Suecia.jpg|200px]]
|-
| ''[[Sumela Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2008 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Sète|Sete]]–[[Topçular, Hani|Topcular]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|34,236}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9356749
| ||
|-
|''[[Troy Seaways]]'' ||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2019 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Port of Trieste|Trieste]]–[[Pendik]] || {{GT|60,465}} || {{flag|Turkey}} || 9816842 
| ||
|-
| ''[[Zeugma Seaways]]''||[[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel || align="Center" | 2008 || align="Center" | 2019 || [[Sète|Sete]]–[[Topçular, Hani|Topcular]]|| align="Center" | {{GT|34,236}}|| {{flag|Turkey}}||9356737
| Renamed from ''UN Akdenizn'' in 2020.||
|}

=== Future fleet ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Ship || Type || Built || To enter service || Route || Tonnage || Flag || IMO number 
!Notes|| Image
|-
| {{MV| Caesarea Trader }} || [[Roll-on/roll-off]] cargo vessel||align="Center" | 1996||align="Center" | 2025|| [[Portsmouth]]–[[Jersey]] [[Jersey]]–[[Saint-Malo]]|| {{GT|11,166}} || {{flag|United Kingdom}} || 9117985
|Former ''Commodore Goodwill'' of [[Condor Ferries]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyxer41r00o|title=Former Condor ferry to carry Jersey's freight
|date=19 June 2025|accessdate=19 June 2025}}</ref>|| 
|}

=== Former ships ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Ship || In service || Tonnage || Status
|-
| [[MS Skipper Clement|MS ''Skipper Clement'']]|| 1964–1976 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|2964}} || Scrapped 2010.
|-
| [[MS Akershus|MS ''Akershus]]|| 1965–1973 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|5012}} || Burnt and sunk 1989.
|-
| [[MS Winston Churchill|MS ''Winston Churchill'']] || 1967–1996 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|8657}} || Scrapped 2004.
|-
| [[MS Kong Olav V|MS ''Kong Olav V'']]|| 1968–1984 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|7965}} || Burnt 1993, later scrapped.
|-
| [[MS Prinsesse Margrethe|MS ''Prinsesse Margrethe'']]|| 1968–1983 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|7965}} || Scrapped 2005.
|-
| MS ''Aalborghus''<br>MS ''Dana Sirena''<br>[[MS Dana Corona (1969)|MS ''Dana Corona'']]|| 1969&ndash;1971<br>1971&ndash;1978<br>1978&ndash;1985 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|7697}}<br>{{GRT|7988}} || Scrapped in China, 2000.
|-
| MS ''Trekroner''<br>MS ''Dana Corona''<br>[[MS Dana Sirena (1970)|MS ''Dana Sirena'']]|| 1970&ndash;1971<br>1971&ndash;1979<br>1979&ndash;1983 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|7692}} || Sunk 1994.
|-
| [[MS Dana Regina|MS ''Dana Regina'']] || 1974–1990 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|10,002}} || Since 1998 MS ''Vana Tallinn'' with [[Tallink]]. The ship was scrapped at Aliga, Turkey in 2014.
|-
| MS ''Dana Anglia''<br>[[MS Duke of Scandinavia|MS ''Duke of Scandinavia'']] || 1978&ndash;2002<br>2002&ndash;2006 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|14,399}}<br>{{GT|15,589}} || Since 2009 MS ''Moby Corse'' with [[Moby Lines]].
|-
| MS ''Dana Gloria''<br>[[MS King of Scandinavia (1975)|MS ''King of Scandinavia'']]|| 1981–1984, 1986&ndash;1989<br>1989&ndash;1994 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|12,348}}>{{GT|20,581}} || 2006-2017 MS ''Jupiter'' for [[Royal Group Ltd]]. Sunk 2017.
|-
| MS ''Tor Scandinavia''<br>[[MS Princess of Scandinavia|MS ''Princess of Scandinavia'']] || 1981&ndash;1991<br>1991&ndash;2006 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|15,673}}<br>{{GT|21,545}} || Since 2006 MS ''Moby Otta'' with Moby Lines.
|-
| [[MS Island Escape|MS ''Scandinavia'']] || 1982–1985 ||align="Center" | {{GT|26,747}} || Since 2002 MS ''Island Escape'' with [[Island Cruises]].
|-
| MS ''Tor Britannia''<br>[[MS Prince of Scandinavia|MS ''Prince of Scandinavia'']]|| 1982&ndash;1990<br>1990&ndash;2003 ||align="Center" | {{GRT|14,905}}<br>{{GT|21,545}} || Since 2003 MS ''Moby Drea'' with Moby Lines.
|-
| MS ''Hamburg''<br>[[MS Admiral of Scandinavia|MS ''Admiral of Scandinavia'']]|| 1987&ndash;1997<br>1997&ndash;2002 ||align="Center" | {{GT|19,292}} || Originally MS Kronprins Harald with Jahre Line (1976-1987); Since 2002 MS ''Caribbean Express'' with [[Access Ferries]]; Scrapped 2011 in India.
|-
| [[MS Bergensfjord (1993)|MS ''Duchess of Scandinavia'']] || 2003–2005 ||align="Center" | {{GT|16,794}} || From 2008 to 2014 MS ''Bergensfjord'' with [[Fjord Line]]. To be renamed Oslofjord 2014.
|-
| [[MS Stena Superfast X|MS ''Dieppe Seaways'']] || 2012–2014 ||align="Center" | {{GT|29,800}} || Sold to [[Stena Line]] in Nov 2014. Renamed [[MS Stena Superfast X]]. Entered Service 09/03/2015.
|-
| {{MS|Calais Seaways}} || 2013-2021 || align="Center"|{{GT|28,883}} || Sold to [[Irish Ferries]] in November 2021. Renamed ''Isle of Innisfree''.
|-
| {{MS|Crown Seaways}} || 1994-2024 || {{GT|35,498}}  || Sold to Gotlandsbolaget 
New name Nordic Crown
|-
| {{MS|Pearl Seaways}} || 2001-2024 ||{{GT|40,022}} ||  Sold to Gotlandsbolaget. New name Nordic Pearl 
|-
|}

== Accidents and incidents ==
{{Recentism|date=March 2016}}

=== ''Victoria Seaways'' 2013 fire ===
On 23 April 2013, ''Victoria Seaways'' caught fire whilst on passage between [[Kiel]], Germany and [[Klaipėda]], Lithuania. The fire was discovered on the main vehicle deck at around midnight on the 22/23 April. The ship's fire-extinguishing system took control of the fire quickly, and passengers were sent to muster stations whilst the fire was put out. The ship continued to Klaipėda shortly after. The cause of the incident is unknown.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fire at Cargo and Passenger Ship – Victoria Seawys|date=10 August 2014 |url=http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/82290/fire-at-cargo-and-passenger-ship-victoria-seaways/|publisher=World Maritime News|access-date=3 October 2014}}</ref>

=== ''Sirena Seaways'' 2013 dock collision ===
On 22 June 2013, [[MV Baie de Seine|''Sirena Seaways'']], with 489 passengers on board, collided with the dockside at [[Harwich]], [[Essex]]. The incident caused damage to the dockside, the loading ramp and the ship, resulting in the vessel taking on water. The crew blocked the opening from inside and the watertight compartments were used to prevent the ship from capsizing. The Harwich RNLI lifeboat, Walton Coastguard rescue team and an RAF search and rescue helicopter from [[Wattisham Airfield]] responded to the incident, along with a number of other vessels nearby. The ferry was brought alongside at 14:45 and the passengers were disembarked. The cause of the collision is unknown.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sirena Seaways ferry damaged hitting Harwich dock|date=22 June 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23014901|publisher=BBC News|access-date=1 May 2014}}</ref>

=== ''Britannia Seaways'' 2013 fire ===
On Saturday 16 November 2013, ''Britannia Seaways'' caught fire in the North Sea, trapping 32 crew on board. Helicopters despatched from Norway were unable to take the crew off the ship, owing to bad weather conditions. The fire began in a container on one of the upper decks, and was extinguished 13 hours after it broke out. The ship was carrying military equipment to Norway for a military exercise, and reached Bergen a few days later. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fire Extinguished on 'Britannia Seaways' Cargo Ship Off Norway|url=http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/97747/fire-extinguished-on-britannia-seaways-cargo-ship-off-norway/|publisher=World Maritime News|access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

=== ''Corona Seaways'' 2013 fire ===
On 4 December 2013, at 02:30, ''[[Corona Seaways]]'' caught fire whilst the vessel was travelling from Fredericia to Copenhagen. The fire broke out in the main closed deck, and was briefly under control with the ships sprinkler systems before flaring up again. The ship arrived at Helsingborg at 07.00, where the fire was extinguished by the local fire services. No injuries were reported amongst the 10 passengers and 19 crew members. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fire Broke Out on Ro-Ro Vessel CORONA SEAWAYS|url=http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/99163/fire-broke-out-on-ro-ro-vessel-corona-seaways/|publisher=World Maritime News|access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/547c6f1f40f0b60244000005/CoronaSeaways.pdf|title=Accident Report into the Corona Seaways fire 2013}}</ref>

=== ''King Seaways'' 2013 fire ===
On 28 December 2013, a cabin aboard the ferry ''[[MS King Seaways|King Seaways]]'' caught fire while it was approximately 30 miles off [[Flamborough Head]] whilst travelling to [[IJmuiden]], the [[Netherlands]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ferry Fire: Man Arrested Over Suspected Arson|url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/ferry-fire-rescue-operation-north-sea-225853731.html#8xXX4vv|publisher=Yahoo! News|access-date=29 December 2013}}</ref>  The fire started at 22:45 GMT on Saturday and was extinguished within 15 minutes. [[RAF]] rescue helicopters from [[RAF Boulmer]] and [[RAF Leconfield]] winched two passengers and four crew off the ship. The vessel returned to [[North Shields]] on Sunday morning.<ref>{{cite news|title=North Sea ferry fire on MS King Seaways prompts probe|date=28 December 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25539473|publisher=BBC News|access-date=29 December 2013}}</ref>  The cause is still under investigation however two people have been arrested in connection with the fire.  One was subsequently charged with arson reckless to endangering life, and affray.<ref>{{cite web|title=British police arrest two men over North Sea ferry fire|url=http://uk.news.yahoo.com/british-police-arrest-two-men-over-north-sea-115939690--finance.html#w73sFaF|publisher=Yahoo! News|access-date=29 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Man Charged with Arson After North Sea Ferry Fire|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/30/man-charged-north-sea-ferry-fire|access-date=31 December 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=30 December 2013}}</ref>  On 8 July 2014 it was reported that one of them had pleaded guilty in [[Newcastle Crown Court]] to a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
<ref>{{cite web|title=Drunk passenger starts £800k ferry fire after smoking cannabis in cabin|url=http://travel.aol.co.uk/2014/07/08/drunk-passenger-starts-800k-ferry-fire-smoking-cannabis-cabin/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cuk-ws-bb%7Cdl3%7Csec3_lnk4%26pLid%3D277366|publisher=AOL}}</ref>

=== ''Crown Seaways'' 2014 engine incident ===
On 27 April 2014, ''[[MS Crown Seaways|Crown Seaways]]'' experienced engine problems near the Danish island of [[Anholt (Denmark)|Anholt]], whilst travelling between [[Copenhagen]] and [[Oslo]]. It is reported that passengers heard a loud bang, a shudder and smoke at about 21:30, when the vessel suffered an engine failure and crank explosion. The ship soon continued on its way towards Oslo. The cause of the incident is unknown.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peterson|first=Neil|title=Engine accident on DFDS Crown Seaways ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo|url=http://www.demotix.com/photo/4584968/engine-accident-dfds-crown-seaways-ferry-copenhagen-oslo&popup=1|publisher=Demotix|access-date=1 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508062344/http://www.demotix.com/photo/4584968/engine-accident-dfds-crown-seaways-ferry-copenhagen-oslo%26popup%3D1|archive-date=8 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== ''Dover Seaways'' 2014 dock collision ===
On 10 November 2014, [[MS Dover Seaways|''Dover Seaways'']] collided with a harbour wall at the [[Port of Dover]], shortly after leaving the port at 08:00. The ship was heading to Dunkirk carrying 320 passengers. Several passengers were treated with minor injuries, and four were taken to hospital for additional treatment. The cause of the collision is unknown.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dover Seaways Hits Harbour Wall, Four Injured|date= 5 November 2014 |url= http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/142685/dover-seaways-hits-harbour-wall-four-injured/ |publisher=World Maritime News|access-date=13 November 2014}}</ref>

=== ''City of Rotterdam'' / Primula 2015 collision ===
The ''City of Rotterdam'' car carrier collided with Primula Seaways in the [[Humber]] estuary in December 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://automotivelogistics.media/news/illusion-inadequate-reactions-blame-humber-estuary-collision |title='Illusion and inadequate reactions' to blame for Humber collision |work=Automotive Logistics |date=9 February 2017|access-date=20 February 2017}}</ref>

== Closure of the Harwich–Esbjerg route ==
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}
The Harwich–Esbjerg route was closed on 29 September 2014 due to a decline in passenger numbers. The Harwich–Esbjerg route had operated since 1875. This was the last service operated by DFDS from Harwich and was also the last passenger service between Great Britain and Denmark; DFDS continue to operate freight services from Immingham to Denmark. DFDS Seaways reported that [[MS Sirena Seaways]] will move on other duties on the route between Kapellskar, Sweden and Paldiski, Estonia. A petition has been set up to attempt to show DFDS that there is a demand for the route.

== References ==
=== Notes ===
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last1=Peter|first1=Bruce|title=DFDS: Sailing in Style|date=2010|publisher=Ferry Publications|location=Ramsey, Isle of Man|isbn=9781906608279}}
*{{cite book|last1=Peter|first1=Bruce|title=DFDS 150|date=2016|publisher=Nautilus Forlag|location=Lyngby, Denmark|isbn=9788790924645}}
*{{cite book|last1=Peter|first1=Bruce|title=Tor Line and the Battle of the North Sea|date=2016|publisher=Nautilus|location=Lyngby, Denmark|isbn=9788790924652}}
*{{cite book|last1=Spark|first1=Robert|last2=Swieszkowski|first2=J.M.|title=1880-1980 Harwich-Esbjerg|date=1980|publisher=DFDS (UK)|location=London|oclc=40248447}}
*{{cite book|last1=Thorsøe|first1=Søren|title=DFDS 1866-1991: Ship development through 125 years - from paddle steamer to ro/ro ship / Skibsudvikling gennem 125 år - fra hjuldamper til rulleskib|language=en, da|date=1991|publisher=DFDS|location=Copenhagen|isbn=8798003003}}
*{{cite book|last1=Thorsøe|first1=Søren|last2=Simonsen|first2=Peter|last3=Krogh-Andersen|first3=Søren|last4=Vaupel|first4=Henrik|title=DFDS 1991-2006: Ship development continues / Skibsudviklingen fortsætter|language=en, da|date=2006|publisher=DFDS|location=Copenhagen|isbn=8798003038}}
*{{cite book|last1=Widdows|first1=Nick|title=DFDS: the fleet.|date=2010|publisher=Ferry Publications|location=Ramsey, Isle of Man|isbn=9781906608217|edition=new}}
*{{cite book|title=DFDS, Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab A/S, 1866 - 1966 / The United Steamship Company Ltd., Copenhagen|language=da, en|date=1966|publisher=DFDS|location=Copenhagen|oclc=834335974}}
{{refend}}

{{DFDS}}
{{Danish Ferry Operators}}
{{Scottish Ferry Operators}}

[[Category:Ferry companies of Belgium]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Denmark]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of England]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of France]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Germany]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Lithuania]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Norway]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Russia]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Scotland]]
[[Category:Ferry companies of Sweden]]
[[Category:DFDS]]
[[Category:Connections across the English Channel]]

[[nl:DFDS Seaways]]
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