DFDS sells cruise ferry route Copenhagen-Frederikshavn-Oslo
New plans for Copenhagen-Frederikshavn-Oslo
DFDS has decided to sell its cruise ferry route between Copenhagen, Frederikshavn and Oslo to the Swedish shipping company Gotlandsbolaget, also known as Rederi Gotland AB. This sale is intended to secure the route the necessary attention and investment required for its further development as a mini-cruise line.
Focus on core business
DFDS will focus more strongly on its core business in the areas of freight, passenger transport and logistics in the future. The sale price for the route is around DKK 400 million (approx. EUR 53.6 million). The CEO of DFDS, Torben Carlsen, explained that the decision was difficult but necessary in order to place the route in the hands of an experienced company in the cruise sector.
Future of the route
Håkan Johansson, CEO of Gotlandsbolaget, is confident that the route will continue to be operated and expanded successfully. The purchase represents a further step in the expansion of Gotlandsbolaget’s passenger shipping operations.
Employees and ships change hands
Around 800 employees will transfer to Gotlandsbolaget as part of the sale. The two deployed ferries, the CROWN SEAWAYS (1994) and the PEARL SEAWAYS (1989), as well as port and terminal facilities are also part of the sale. The transaction is expected to be completed by October of this year.
Information on the current routes
| Ferry connection | Start country & destination country | Number & duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ferry Frederikshavn – Oslo | DenmarkNorway | up to 7 times a week 10 hours |
| Ferry Copenhagen – Oslo | DenmarkNorway | up to 7 times a week approx. 19 hours |
Book DFDS Ferry Oslo – Frederikshavn – Copenhagen
