Investor News
No: 22/08
Copenhagen, 26 August 2008
DFDS increases freight capacity in the North Sea in 2009
Extending three ro-ro cargo ships increases the ships' cargo carrying capacity
by 25% and provides the required capacity for the cargo route between Sweden
and the United Kingdom. Both operating costs and environmental impact will be
reduced.
DFDS has signed a contract with MWB Motorenwerke Bremerhaven AG for extending
the three ro-ro cargo ships TOR BEGONIA, TOR FREESIA and TOR FICARIA by 30
metres. The conversion will take place in 2009.
“Even though the ships provided a great increase in capacity when they were
delivered a few years ago we already lack capacity on our North Sea routes
between Sweden and the United Kingdom, which continue to show good growth. By
extending the ships we are increasing the cargo carrying capacity for trailers,
lorries, cars and other cargo by approx. 25%, and as the ships hardly increase
their energy consumption this will also reduce our operating costs and
environmental impact per transport unit. Concentrating the freight on fewer but
larger ships is one of the most effective ways of reducing costs and
environmental impact,” says Peder Gellert Pedersen, Executive Vice President
with responsibility for DFDS' largest business area, Ro-Ro Shipping. .
After the extension, the ships will be 230 metres long and be able to carry
approx. 4,700 lane metres of freight. The total investment amounts to DKK 280
million, of which DKK 170 will be carried out in 2008 and the rest in 2009.
With this new investment, DFDS total investments for 2008 increases to about
DKK 400 million against the DKK 200 million previously expected.
The ships will continue to operate on the routes between Göteborg and Immingham
in the United Kingdom.
With the extension and the current modernization and optimizing of the fleet,
Ro-Ro Shipping will be well prepared in terms of tonnage when the current break
in growth is replaced by new growth in the market, says Peder Gellert Pedersen.
For further information:
Information Manager Gert Jakobsen, tel.: (+45) 24 40 00 43
The DFDS Group operates a leading, sea-based transport network in Northern
Europe that is based on a fleet of 64 ships, comprising cruise ferry ships,
Ro-Ros, combined freight/passenger ships and container ships as well as
terminals and a trailer network linked to the routes. The company has 4,400
employees in 14 countries. DFDS is head-quartered in Copenhagen and is listed
on OMX The Nordic Exchange Copenhagen.
