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Newbuilding for the Baltics soon ready for sea trials

A lot is happening at Guangzhou Shipyard International in China where our new combined freight and passenger ferry for the Baltic Sea is being built. On Friday 19 March, another milestone was reached as the inclining test was successfully carried out.

Updated: 26 February 2026 | Published: 29 March 2021

Baltics

2 min read

Guangzhou Shipyard International

Steen Haurum, Site Manager, says: “An inclining test’s purpose is to establish the vessel’s centre of gravity. Since this is a crucial parameter when calculating stability, it is of course important that the value is accurate, which is why the vessel must be almost finished. This means that the hull must be finalized, and all major equipment installed.

With the inclining test completed and interior well underway, the 230-metre-long ferry will soon be ready for sea trials.

Steen adds, “Now we have another huge task ahead: commissioning of all onboard systems and finalization of the vessel including sea trials.”

Impressions of the interior design

The ferry will have capacity for 600 passengers and 270 trailers. Passengers can choose between standard and deluxe cabins. Two new cabin types have been introduced – allergy friendly and family cabins. The 120 m² onboard shop is three times bigger than on current Baltic vessels.

Drivers can also look forward to their own buffet-restaurant with a lounge area, as the Road Kings brand is re-introduced on our Baltic Routes.

While the final look and feel is still months ahead, the interior design is already taking great shape. The first ship is expected to be completed in the second half of the summer.

Close to sea trials

Captain Mindaugas Nosavičius, Mechanic Arvydas Maksimavičius and Second Mechanic Mantas Jokšas have left Lithuania and are currently on their way to the shipyard.

Captain Nosavičius, says: “One of the goals for this trip is to get acquainted with the ferry’s machinery, equipment and technology. We’llalso take part in the extensive sea trials which, if all goes well, should take place in the middle of April and last several days. These trials test speed, manoeuvrability, equipment and safety features.“

The trip to China is a challenge in itself. They will have to do eight Covid-19 tests and 21 days isolation in China.

They are planning to stay until mid-May and will be replaced by Captain Vytautas Valteras, Chief Mechanic Pavel Chandogin and Second Mechanic David Viršila.

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17 April 2018

ENGINE ROOM FIRE ON BOARD FINLANDIA SEAWAYS QUICKLY UNDER CONTROL

Last night at 22:13, a fire broke out in the engine room on board Finlandia Seaways on its voyage from Zeebrugge to Rosyth.

A map of the UN Ro-Ro Network, which has strategic locations across Türkiye and the Mediterranean

Copenhagen

12 April 2018

DFDS ACQUIRES MAJOR MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING GROUP U.N. RO-RO

Danish shipping and logistics group DFDS has acquired Turkey’s largest operator of Ro-Ro freight ships and will be a major player in the strong and continuously growing trade between the EU and Turkey. U.N. Ro-Ro operates five routes connecting Italy and France with Turkey, 12 ships and port terminals in Trieste and in Pendik, Istanbul. U.N. Ro-Ro employs 500 people. The deal is subject to approval by the authorities.

Freesia Seaways docked alongside another DFDS vessel

Copenhagen

22 March 2018

DFDS WELCOMES PASSENGERS ON FREIGHT VESSELS BETWEEN BELGIUM AND SCOTLAND

Every week, DFDS ships large amounts of cars, trailers and containers on our freight ships from Ghent to Gothenburg in Sweden and from Zeebrugge to Rosyth in Scotland.

DFDS vessel Jutlandia Seaways

Copenhagen

7 March 2018

JUTLANDIA SEAWAYS TO ASSIST ON THE GHENT – GOTHENBURG ROUTE

Luckily no-one was injured when Primula Seaways was hit by the container ship MSC Madrid on Saturday, and fortunately, there was no pollution in spite of the substantial damage to the hull.

DFDS vessel Primula Seaways leaving port

Copenhagen

5 March 2018

SHIP SWAP AND CHARTER OF SHIP SECURES CAPACITY FOR GOTHENBURG - GHENT ROUTE

On 2 March 2018, DFDS’ ro-ro ship Primula Seaways was hit by a container ship during the sailing from Ghent to Brevik. No persons were injured and no pollution occurred. However, the collision caused damage to Primula Seaways’ port side and to one of the trailers placed near the damaged part of the hull

DFDS Logistics truck driver stands in front of a green truck while looking at a mobile phone

Copenhagen

20 February 2018

DFDS IS STEPPING UP DIGITALLY

In 2018, DFDS will invest in further development of digital capabilities to enhance the customer experience and gain operational efficiencies. This is expected to entail additional costs of around DKK 100m as well as increased investments.

DFDS Jutlandia Seaways at shipping terminal with DFDS trailers

Copenhagen

8 February 2018

TRADING BETWEEN UK AND MAINLAND EUROPE CONTINUES TO GROW DESPITE BREXIT

DFDS has just reported another record result for 2017. The operating profit of DKK 2.7 billion was based, among other things, on the continuing positive development in volumes on the company’s ten freight routes across the North Sea.

Cartoon of a robot as the captain of a DFDS ship

Copenhagen

29 December 2017

TRENDS WE FOLLOW IN DFDS

The world is changing at an accelerating pace and it's more important than ever to understand the dynamics of that change. New technology that enables new behaviour or fundamental changes to existing markets is often the driver of that change.

DFDS vessel Kaunas Seaways at sea

Copenhagen

1 November 2017

MIGRANTS ON KAUNAS SEAWAYS FLOWN TO ALGERIA

Yesterday (31 October) the last six of 12 migrants, who for three months had been on board DFDS' Lithuanian vessel Kaunas Seaways in the Black Sea, were taken off the ship in order to be flown back to their home countries via the airport in Odessa and Turkey. Six of the migrants were sent home to Algeria on 29 October, while six are underway today.

Captain, first mate, and mother with baby born on board DFDS vessel

Copenhagen

16 October 2017

BABY BORN ON BOARD CÔTE D’ALBATRE

The new citizen of the world, Mustafa, was brought into the world on board Côte D’Albatre, when his mother went into labour before arrival in Dieppe.

New DFDS vessel Tulipa Seaways being launched

Copenhagen

9 June 2017

NEW RO-RO VESSEL FOR DFDS NAMED TODAY

Tulipa Seaways is the second large ro-ro freight vessel from the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft destined to enter the DFDS fleet. The ship will be delivered during the autumn and will enter service between Rotterdam and Immingham.

Medal ceremony for the crew of the DFDS vessel Ark Futura

Copenhagen

8 May 2017

MEDALS FOR THE ARK FUTURA CREW

In 2016 Ark Futura transported chemicals out of Libya for destruction in Germany.

DFDS vessel passing through a drawbridge over the Ghent Canal

Copenhagen

2 March 2016

DFDS SHIPS RECORD VOLUME OF FREIGHT TO THE UK

The strong increase in freight volumes and passenger numbers between the Continet and the UK is part of the DFDS' record results

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

7 August 2015

INVESTMENT PLAN OF EUR 6 MILLION FOR ROSYTH-ZEEBRUGGE ROUTE

DFDS and Forth Ports will invest in the future of the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight route

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

9 November 2014

INCIDENT ON BOARD THE DOVER SEAWAY FERRY

DOVER SEAWAYS contacted the harbour wall when leaving Dover, passengers have been accommodated on the other DFDS ferries

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

4 November 2014

ROSYTH-ZEEBRUGGE ROUTE SECURED FOR THE FUTURE

DFDS Seaways, the Scottish Government and Forth Ports signed a Memorandum of Understanding in which they agree to continue the Rosyth-Zeebrugge freight shipping service under the management of DFDS Seaways

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

15 September 2014

CLOSURE OF LOSS-MAKING ROUTE

DFDS plans to close the Le Havre-Portsmouth route at the end of 2014 due to continued losses

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

4 December 2013

FIRE ONBOARD RO-RO SHIP BETWEEN JUTLAND AND COPENHAGEN EXTINGUISHED

Fire breaks on CORORNA SEAWAYS on 4 December, 2013 en route from Fredericia - Copenhagen

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

23 April 2013

FIRE AT CARGO AND PASSENGER SHIP BETWEEN GERMANY AND LITHUANIA EXTINGUISHED

Fire broke on the main deck of VICTORIA SEAWAYS en route from Kiel to Klaipeda, the situation was under control and no injuries reported

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

3 January 2013

NEGOTIATIONS ON NEWBUILDING CONTRACTS ONGOING

Negotiations between DFDS and the German shipyard P+S about the two ro-ro vessels are still in the process

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

29 September 2012

MORE FREIGHT VOLUMES BETWEEN UK AND CONTINENT

DFDS signs an agreement with two leading logistics providers with effect from September 2012

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

13 September 2012

NEWBUILDING CONTRACTS CANCELLED

DFDS cancels their contracts for two ro-ro ships with the German shipyard P+S Werften GmbH

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

29 August 2012

SHIPYARD FILED FOR INSOLVENCY

DFDS orders two ro-ro newbuildings at the German shipyard P+S Werften GmbH

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

6 July 2012

DFDS SIGNS NEW AGREEMENT WITH VOLVO

DFDS and Volvo signs a new agreement for the transport of cargo on three DFDS routes

DFDS logo

Copenhagen

13 January 2011

CLOSURE OF ROUTES ON IRISH SEA

DFDS closes down the operation of the routes between Dublin and Birkenhead and Heysham, England, at the end of January 2011

For media inquiries, interviews, or press materials, reach out to DFDS using the contact details below.

+45 31 16 28 47

grcom@dfds.com