The passenger and transport services company DFDS has continued to grow over the past year, thanks to higher volumes and profits in freight and logistics.
Compared to 2020, the company’s EBITDA has grown by 25%, reaching 459 million euros. In turn, the company’s revenue in 2021 increased by almost 28%, reaching 2.4 billion euros.
The fastest growth in freight transport was observed in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period last year, when, due to the constraints of Covid-19, the impact on the freight transport sector as a whole remained. In 2021, DFDS achieved its goals both by expanding its network of transport routes and by working to reduce CO2 emissions from its existing fleet.
Revenues from DFDS’s ferry division increased by 25% due to both the opening of three new ferry routes and an increase in freight volumes.
“2021. In the Baltic Sea region, there was also an increase in DFDS freight and passenger traffic, where revenue increased by 9%. The increase in revenue is mainly due to the increase in the volume of cargo transportation, ”says Aigars Urtāns, Head of SIA DFDS SEAWAYS in Latvia.
Last year, there was an upward trend in passenger traffic. Revenue from passenger transport, on the other hand, remained at 2020 levels, as a large proportion of passengers were migrant workers due to the impact of Covid-19.
“Despite the currently tense geopolitical situation, we hope that the demand for transportation in the Baltic Sea region will increase this year. This year, for the convenience of passengers, a brand new cargo and passenger ferry Aura Seaways has started operating, which transports passengers on the route between Klaipeda and Karlshamn, Sweden and offers even more comfortable and high-quality voyages. The arrival of Seaways in the Baltics, which will open even wider travel opportunities on this route, ”continues A. Urtāns.
DFDS’s revenue in the logistics segment grew by 35% last year, with the company continuing to grow steadily. Last year’s growth in the logistics segment was driven not only by the acquisition of HSF Logistics Group and revenue from the introduction of new customs clearance services in the UK, but also by a general increase in demand in an industry where sustainable logistics solutions are becoming increasingly important.
“In the Baltics, we provide a wide range of logistics services, focusing on special cargo and contract logistics, and it can be seen that customer demand for sustainable logistics solutions continues to grow. DFDS has placed an order for the delivery of 125 e-trucks, which will be delivered at the end of this year and in 2023. It is part of the DFDS road to reduce the CO2 footprint in the logistics segment as well. We are very happy to be able to supplement the existing truck equipment with modern solutions, which will not only promote the quality of deliveries, but will also be a step closer to a greener tomorrow, ”says Jjujeta Grekova, Member of the Board of DFDS Latvija.
Ferry and logistics volumes in the Baltic region are expected to continue to grow this year. The opening of two new combined freight and passenger ferries is expected to strengthen customer supply in 2022.