TRADE ACROSS THE NORTH SEA CONTINUES TO GROW
In spite of the ongoing Brexit discussion, DFDS continued to increase its volumes on the North Sea freight routes to and from the UK. Continued growth in the UK and EU economies is good news for all.
Updated: 26 February 2026 | Published: 17 August 2017
Copenhagen
2 min read
DFDS' recently published Q2 results were the best ever recorded in the company and this was among other things due to a very positive development in trade across the North Sea.
DFDS' routes carried 6% more trailers between ports in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium and ports in the UK. "The UK is our largest freight market, and we are encouraged by the positive development which we have seen year-on-year in spite of the discussion about possible Brexit effects," says Niels Smedegaard.
The Bank of England expects the UK economy to grow by 1.6% in 2017, and UK export volumes have picked up since the British pound (GBP) depreciated after the Brexit vote in June 2016. "As we are also seeing positive developments in the EU economies as a whole, we are confident about the future. This is good news and supports our plan of deploying larger and more environmentally friendly ships on our North Sea routes in 2019 and 2020," says Niels Smedegaard.
"It is also good news for the customers, manufacturers, exporters and transport companies we serve. Continued growth in trade will enable them to grow or maintain their activities and the many jobs they create," he says.
DFDS also welcomes the UK Government's recent initiative to maintain the free flow of goods through continuing the current flexible customs control between the UK and the EU after Brexit. "This is in line with our expectations that all parties will be interested in protecting trade for the benefit of growth and jobs in the countries involved, and we hope the proposal will pave the way for a positive agreement," says Niels Smedegaard.
Related news
Calais
16 June 2023
Transfer of route from Sheerness to Tilbury
DFDS has announced that it will be launching a new unaccompanied freight service from Tilbury to Calais, replacing its existing Sheerness – Calais service.
Ghent/B
21 March 2023
New rail service between Belgium and France
Belgium's Lineas and DFDS are joining forces to transport containers and trailers from the port of Gothenburg via Ghent at North Sea Port on rail to Lyon - and vice versa. It will create a connection between Sweden, Belgium, and France.
Vlaardingen
22 December 2022
Shore power from Rotterdam for DFDS terminal in Vlaardingen
By the end of 2023, part of the DFDS ships that dock in Vlaardingen will receive electricity via a shore power installation. Rotterdam Shore Power B.V, a joint venture of Eneco and the Port of Rotterdam Authority, will supply this shore power. For now, Jinling roll-on-roll-off vessels for scheduled service to and from Immingham will use the shore power installation. The installation will be constructed by Actemium and has been partially made financially possible by subsidies from the central government and the province of South Holland.
Copenhagen
29 April 2022
DFDS introduces new rail freight service
DFDS is excited to announce that we are introducing a new rail freight service from Séte to Calais. The new rail service connects London with Yalova in Turkey, as of 17th May. This will shorten transport time between London and Istanbul.
Copenhagen
1 March 2019
DFDS strengthens rail-ferry links between Mediterranean and Sweden/Norway
Following the completion of a missing rail link, DFDS now connects Sweden and Norway with Turkey and Southern Europe via efficient and environmentally sound routes that combine ferry and rail services.
Copenhagen
20 April 2014
NEW SULPHUR RULES CAUSE CLOSURE OF THE HARWICH-ESBJERG FERRY ROUTE
DFDS decides to close the Harwich - Esbjerg route as of 29 September 2014 due to loss of passengers and freight
Copenhagen
7 March 2013
RENEWAL & EXPANSION OF SWEDISH CUSTOMER AGREEMENT
DFDS aims to reverse the swap of tonnage between Gothenburg-Immingham and Gothenburg-Ghent routes
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
Copenhagen
22 May 2012
DFDS TO RESHUFFLE NORTH SEA SHIPS CALLING AT GOTHENBURG
DFDS changes the operation of the Gothenburg-Immingham and Gothenburg-Ghent routes
Copenhagen
22 June 2011
SALE OF PORT TERMINAL IN ROTTERDAM
Integration of operations on the North Sea was initiated after the acquisition of Norfolkline in July 2010
Press contact
For media inquiries, interviews, or press materials, reach out to DFDS using the contact details below.