DFDS Seaways is a Danish shipping company that operates passenger and freight services across northern Europe. Following the acquisition of Norfolkline in 2010, DFDS restructured its other shipping divisions (DFDS Tor Line and DFDS Lisco) into the previously passenger-only operation of DFDS Seaways.

DFDS Seaways
IndustryFreight Transportation
Passenger/Car Transportation
GenreFerry Company
PredecessorDFDS Tor Line
DFDS Lisco
Scandinavian Seaways
Norfolkline
HeadquartersCopenhagen, Denmark
Area served
Baltic Sea
English Channel
North Sea
ParentDFDS
DivisionsDFDS Seaways France
Websitewww.dfds.com
Crown Seaways departing Oslo
King Seaways in IJmuiden
Ark Germania seen at the shipyard now serves on the Esbjerg route

History

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DFDS Seaways renewed its fleet in 2006, purchasing MS King of Scandinavia and MS Princess of Norway to replace the last ships still in service that dated from the 1970s. The company has acquired a reputation for purchasing used ships, as well as for taking over the build contracts or taking delivery of newbuilds originally ordered by other companies. The last time DFDS Seaways ordered a newbuild of its own was in 1978. DFDS Seaways stopped serving Sweden in 2006, when MS Princess of Scandinavia was taken out of service and the CopenhagenOslo service stopped calling at Helsingborg. In May 2008, DFDS made public its plan to close down the loss-making United Kingdom–Norway service on 1 September 2008.[1][2] MS Queen of Scandinavia, the ship that was used in the service, has since been chartered to St Peter Line.

In July 2010, DFDS acquired Norfolkline from Maersk. The Norfolkline routes and vessels were integrated into DFDS Seaways. DFDS Seaways now had the DoverDunkirk route, and launched the new Dover–Calais route in February 2012.

DFDS announced in 2015 that it had unveiled a new logo, which saw 'DFDS' in a new font, and the logo with the white Maltese cross losing its outer circle; it announced furthermore that the DFDS Seaways subsidiary would be shortened to just 'DFDS' carrying a dark blue hull in the same font instead of the traditional light blue hull, and a Maltese cross with a circle. The first vessels to receive the new livery—and the new name scheme that would eventually be rolled out throughout the whole fleet—were the former MyFerryLink ferries Rodin (soon to become Cote des Dunes) and the Berlioz (soon to become the Cote des Flandres). All the fleet were to lose the 'Seaways' suffix from their names, and would instead receive local preference names.[needs update].

In 2018, DFDS ordered three RoPax newbuild vessels - one was an E-Flexer on charter from Stena RoRo which entered service as the Côte d'Opale in August 2021,[3] and two RoPaxes for Baltic Sea operations.[4] The first of the Baltic twins, named Aura Seaways,[5] was launched in late 2020,[6] and had an inclination test in 2021.[7] The sea trials took place in the middle of 2021. Now 2 new ferries "Aura Seaways" and " Luna Seaways" cruise Klaipėda–Karlshamn line.

In September 2019, DFDS had announced that it would add two new ships, the MS Moby Wonder and MS Moby Aki, to the NewcastleIJmuiden route in early 2020. The former ships, the MS King Seaways and MS Princess Seaways, would in turn have been sold to Moby Lines.[8] This plan was later abandoned in October 2019 due to Moby Lines being unable to commit to the delivery of the ships with ongoing financial issues over vessel mortgages.[9]

On 10 June 2024 DFDS announced the sale of one of their oldest lines, the mostly passenger focused Copenhagen-Frederikshavn-Oslo, to the Swedish company Gotlandsbolaget, citing a strategic focus on transport and logistics services.[10] The sale is expected to be completed in October 2024.

Routes

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DFDS Seaways operates twenty routes across the North Sea and Baltic Sea and one route between France to Republic of Ireland.

Passenger and freight

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Freight-only routes

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North Sea:

Baltic Sea:

Strait of Gibraltar:

Fleet

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DFDS Seaways operates a large fleet of Ro-Ro, Ro-Pax and Cruise ferries. Following restructuring in 2010, all shipping activities (including those of DFDS Tor Line, DFDS Lisco and FRS Iberia/Maroc) were rebranded as DFDS Seaways.

Current fleet

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Ship Type Built Entered
service
Route Tonnage Flag IMO number Notes Image
MS Crown Seaways Cruiseferry 1994 1994 CopenhagenFrederikshavnOslo 35,498 GT   Denmark 8917613  
MS Pearl Seaways Cruiseferry 1989 2001 CopenhagenFrederikshavnOslo 40,022 GT   Denmark 8701674  
MS Princess Seaways Cruiseferry 1986 2006 IJmuidenNewcastle 31,360 GT   Denmark 8502391  
MS King Seaways Cruiseferry 1987 2006 IJmuidenNewcastle 31,395 GT   Denmark 8502406  
MS Patria Seaways Cruiseferry 1992 2004 Algeciras-Tanger 18,332 GT   Lithuania 8917390  
MS Sirena Seaways Cruiseferry 2002 2013 PaldiskiKapellskär 22,382 GT   Lithuania 9212163  
MS Optima Seaways Roll-on/roll-off ferry 1999 2010 DunkerqueRosslare 25,206 GT   Lithuania 9188427  
MS Victoria Seaways Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2009 2010 KlaipėdaKiel 25,518 GT   Lithuania 9350721  
MS Athena Seaways Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2007 2013 DunkerqueRosslare 24,950 GT   Lithuania 9350680
 
MS Aura Seaways Cruiseferry 2021 2021/2022 KlaipėdaKiel 56,043 GT   Denmark 9851036  
MS Luna Seaways Cruiseferry 2021 2021/2022 KlaipėdaKarlshamn 56,043 GT   Denmark 9851048
MS Regina Seaways Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2010 2011 KlaipėdaKarlshamn 25,518 GT   Lithuania 9458535  
DFDS Seaways France
MS Delft Seaways Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2006 2010 DoverDunkerque 35,923 GT   Great Britain 9293088  
MS Dover Seaways Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2006 2010 DoverDunkerque 35,923 GT   Great Britain 9318345  
MS Dunkerque Seaways Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2005 2010 DoverDunkerque 35,923 GT   Great Britain 9293076  
MS Côte des Dunes Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2001 2016 DoverCalais 33,796 GT   France 9232527  
MS Côte des Flandres Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2005 2016 DoverCalais 33,796 GT   France 9305843  
MS Côte d'Opale Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2020 2021 DoverCalais 40,331 GT   France 9858321  
MS Côte D'Albâtre Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2005 2006 DieppeNewhaven 18,564 GT   France 9320128  
MS Seven Sisters Roll-on/roll-off ferry 2006 2006 DieppeNewhaven 18,564 GT   France 9320130  
DFDS / FRS Iberia Maroc
HSC Ceuta Jet High-speed craft Ferry 1998 1998 Tarifa -

Tanger Ville

2,273 GT   Cyprus 9174323
HSC Levante Jet High-speed craft Ferry 2015 2015 Algeciras - Ceuta 5,537 GT   Cyprus 9722819
M/S Kattegat Roll-on/roll-off ferry 1996 1996 Algeciras - Tanger Med 14,221 GT   Cyprus 9112765
M/S Tanger Express Roll-on/roll-off ferry 1996 1996 Algeciras - Tanger Med 14,221 GT   Morocco 9112777
HSC Tarifa Jet High-speed craft Ferry 1997 1997 Tarifa -

Tanger Ville

5,007 GT   Cyprus 9150099
Freight vessels
Selandia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 1998 2010 Cuxhaven - Immingham 24,803 GT   Denmark 9157284  
Suecia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 1999 2011 Felixstowe - Vlaardingen 24,613 GT   Denmark 9153020  
Britannia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2000 2011 Immingham - Esbjerg 24,613 GT   Denmark 9153032  
Botnia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2000 2010 Klaipėda - Køge 11,530 GT   Lithuania 9192129  
Finlandia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2000 2010 Gothenburg - Immingham 11,530 GT   Denmark 9198721
Gallipoli Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2001 2019 Sète - Yalova 26,525 GT   Turkey 9215476
Olympos Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2002 2019 Trieste - Mersin 26,525 GT   Turkey 9242390 Renamed from UND Birlik in 2019.
Cappadocia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2002 2019 Trieste - Mersin 26,525 GT   Turkey 9242388 Renamed from UND Atilim in 2019.
Magnolia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2003 2010 Cuxhaven - Immingham 32,523 GT   Denmark 9259496  
Petunia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2004 2010 Gothenburg - Ghent 32,523 GT   Denmark 9259501  
Primula Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2004 2010 Gothenburg - Ghent - Brevik 37,985 GT   Denmark 9259513  
Begonia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2004 2010 Gothenburg - Ghent - Odense 37,939 GT   Denmark 9262089  
Freesia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2004 2010 Gothenburg - Immingham 37,939 GT   Denmark 9274848  
Assos Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2005 2019 Trieste - Pendik 29,060 GT   Turkey 9293416 Renamed from Saffet Ullusoy in 2020.
Artemis Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2005 2019 Trieste - Mersin 29,060 GT   Turkey 9293428 Renamed from UN Marmara in 2020.
Ficaria Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2006 2010 Gothenburg - Immingham - Brevik 37,939 GT   Denmark 9320568  
Aspendos Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2005 2019 Trieste - Mersin 29,060 GT   Turkey 9322425 Renamed from UN Pendik in 2019.
Dardanelles Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2006 2019 Sete - Yalova 29,060 GT   Turkey 9322437 Renamed from UN Trieste in 2019.
Zeugma Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2008 2019 Sete - Topcular 34,236 GT   Turkey 9356737 Renamed from UN Akdenizn in 2020.
Sumela Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2008 2019 Sete - Topcular 34,236 GT   Turkey 9356749
Myra Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2009 2019 Sete - Izmir 34,236 GT   Turkey 9422122
Galata Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2010 2019 Trieste - Mersin 34,215 GT   Turkey 9422134 Renamed from Cemil Bayülgen in 2020.
Pergamon Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2013 2019 Trieste - Patras 31,595 GT   Turkey 9506277 Renamed from UN Istanbul in 2020.
Ephesus Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2019 2019 Trieste - Pendik 60,465 GT   Turkey 9816830
Troy Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2019 2019 Trieste - Pendik 60,465 GT   Turkey 9816842
Hollandia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2019 2019 Vlaardingen - Immingham 60,465 GT   Denmark 9832585
Humbria Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2020 2020 Gothenburg - Ghent 60,465 GT   Denmark 9832597
Flandria Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2020 2020 Gothenburg - Zeebrugge 60,465 GT   Denmark 9860142
Scandia Seaways Roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel 2021 2021 Vlaardingen - Immingham 60,465 GT   Denmark 9864681

Former ships

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Ship In service Tonnage Status
MS Skipper Clement 1964–1976 2,964 GRT Scrapped 2010.
MS Akershus 1965–1973 5,012 GRT Burnt and sunk 1989.
MS Winston Churchill 1967–1996 8,657 GRT Scrapped 2004.
MS Kong Olav V 1968–1984 7,965 GRT Burnt 1993, later scrapped.
MS Prinsesse Margrethe 1968–1983 7,965 GRT Scrapped 2005.
MS Aalborghus
MS Dana Sirena
MS Dana Corona
1969–1971
1971–1978
1978–1985
7,697 GRT
7,988 GRT
Scrapped in China, 2000.
MS Trekroner
MS Dana Corona
MS Dana Sirena
1970–1971
1971–1979
1979–1983
7,692 GRT Sunk 1994.
MS Dana Regina 1974–1990 10,002 GRT Since 1998 MS Vana Tallinn with Tallink. The ship was scrapped at Aliga, Turkey in 2014.
MS Dana Anglia
MS Duke of Scandinavia
1978–2002
2002–2006
14,399 GRT
15,589 GT
Since 2009 MS Moby Corse with Moby Lines.
MS Dana Gloria
MS King of Scandinavia
1981–1984, 1986–1989
1989–1994
12,348 GRT>20,581 GT 2006-2017 MS Jupiter for Royal Group Ltd. Sunk 2017.
MS Tor Scandinavia
MS Princess of Scandinavia
1981–1991
1991–2006
15,673 GRT
21,545 GT
Since 2006 MS Moby Otta with Moby Lines.
MS Scandinavia 1982–1985 26,747 GT Since 2002 MS Island Escape with Island Cruises.
MS Tor Britannia
MS Prince of Scandinavia
1982–1990
1990–2003
14,905 GRT
21,545 GT
Since 2003 MS Moby Drea with Moby Lines.
MS Hamburg
MS Admiral of Scandinavia
1987–1997
1997–2002
19,292 GT Originally MS Kronprins Harald with Jahre Line (1976-1987); Since 2002 MS Caribbean Express with Access Ferries; Scrapped 2011 in India.
MS Duchess of Scandinavia 2003–2005 16,794 GT From 2008 to 2014 MS Bergensfjord with Fjord Line. To be renamed Oslofjord 2014.
MS Dieppe Seaways 2012–2014 29,800 GT Sold to Stena Line in Nov 2014. Renamed MS Stena Superfast X. Entered Service 09/03/2015.
MS Calais Seaways 2013-2021 28,883 GT Sold to Irish Ferries in November 2021. Renamed Isle of Innisfree.

Accidents and incidents

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Victoria Seaways 2013 fire

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On 23 April 2013, Victoria Seaways caught fire whilst on passage between Kiel, Germany and Klaipėda, Lithuania. The fire was discovered on the main vehicle deck at around midnight on the 22/23 April. The ship's fire-extinguishing system took control of the fire quickly, and passengers were sent to muster stations whilst the fire was put out. The ship continued to Klaipėda shortly after. The cause of the incident is unknown.[12]

Sirena Seaways 2013 dock collision

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On 22 June 2013, Sirena Seaways, with 489 passengers on board, collided with the dockside at Harwich, Essex. The incident caused damage to the dockside, the loading ramp and the ship, resulting in the vessel taking on water. The crew blocked the opening from inside and the watertight compartments were used to prevent the ship from capsizing. The Harwich RNLI lifeboat, Walton Coastguard rescue team and an RAF search and rescue helicopter from Wattisham Airfield responded to the incident, along with a number of other vessels nearby. The ferry was brought alongside at 14:45 and the passengers were disembarked. The cause of the collision is unknown.[13]

Britannia Seaways 2013 fire

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On Saturday 16 November 2013, Britannia Seaways caught fire in the North Sea, trapping 32 crew on board. Helicopters despatched from Norway were unable to take the crew off the ship, owing to bad weather conditions. The fire began in a container on one of the upper decks, and was extinguished 13 hours after it broke out. The ship was carrying military equipment to Norway for a military exercise, and reached Bergen a few days later. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.[14]

Corona Seaways 2013 fire

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On 4 December 2013, at 02:30, Corona Seaways caught fire whilst the vessel was travelling from Fredericia to Copenhagen. The fire broke out in the main closed deck, and was briefly under control with the ships sprinkler systems before flaring up again. The ship arrived at Helsingborg at 07.00, where the fire was extinguished by the local fire services. No injuries were reported amongst the 10 passengers and 19 crew members. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.[15][16]

King Seaways 2013 fire

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On 28 December 2013, a cabin aboard the ferry King Seaways caught fire while it was approximately 30 miles off Flamborough Head whilst travelling to IJmuiden, the Netherlands.[17] The fire started at 22:45 GMT on Saturday and was extinguished within 15 minutes. RAF rescue helicopters from RAF Boulmer and RAF Leconfield winched two passengers and four crew off the ship. The vessel returned to North Shields on Sunday morning.[18] The cause is still under investigation however two people have been arrested in connection with the fire. One was subsequently charged with arson reckless to endangering life, and affray.[19][20] On 8 July 2014 it was reported that one of them had pleaded guilty in Newcastle Crown Court to a charge of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered. [21]

Crown Seaways 2014 engine incident

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On 27 April 2014, Crown Seaways experienced engine problems near the Danish island of Anholt, whilst travelling between Copenhagen and Oslo. It is reported that passengers heard a loud bang, a shudder and smoke at about 21:30, when the vessel suffered an engine failure and crank explosion. The ship soon continued on its way towards Oslo. The cause of the incident is unknown.[22]

Dover Seaways 2014 dock collision

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On 10 November 2014, Dover Seaways collided with a harbour wall at the Port of Dover, shortly after leaving the port at 08:00. The ship was heading to Dunkirk carrying 320 passengers. Several passengers were treated with minor injuries, and four were taken to hospital for additional treatment. The cause of the collision is unknown.[23]

City of Rotterdam / Primula 2015 collision

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The City of Rotterdam car carrier collided with Primula Seaways in the Humber estuary in December 2015.[24]

Closure of the Harwich - Esbjerg route

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The Harwich - Esbjerg route was closed on 29 September 2014 due to a decline in passenger numbers. The Harwich - Esbjerg route had operated since 1875. This was the last service operated by DFDS from Harwich and was also the last passenger service between Great Britain and Denmark; DFDS continue to operate freight services from Immingham to Denmark. DFDS Seaways reported that MS Sirena Seaways will move on other duties on the route between Kapellskar, Sweden and Paldiski, Estonia. A petition has been set up to attempt to show DFDS that there is a demand for the route.

References

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Notes

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  1. ^ McLean, Anthony (27 May 2008). "DFDS Seaways to close route with loss of 340 jobs". NewsGuardian. Archived from the original on 28 May 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  2. ^ "Extensive improvement plan to safeguard earnings at DFDS Seaways". DFDS press release. DFDS. 27 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
  3. ^ "New DFDS ferry Côte D'Opale makes maiden voyage to Dover". trans.info. 26 August 2021.
  4. ^ "DFDS orders RoPax ships in China". DFDS. 26 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Aura Seaways". MarineTraffic. 26 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Successful launch of new RoPax". DFDS. 26 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Newbuilding for the Baltics soon ready for sea trials". DFDS. 26 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Newcastle-Amsterdam New Ship Information". DFDS.
  9. ^ Mairtime, Baird. "DFDS cancels planned vessel swap with Moby". Baird Maritime. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  10. ^ "DFDS to sell Oslo-Frederikshavn-Copenhagen route to Gotlandsbolaget". DFDS. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Eoghan Dalton, 'Rosslare-Dunkirk Crossing Could be Boon for Southeast'". The Irish Times. 5 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Fire at Cargo and Passenger Ship – Victoria Seawys". World Maritime News. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Sirena Seaways ferry damaged hitting Harwich dock". BBC News. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Fire Extinguished on 'Britannia Seaways' Cargo Ship Off Norway". World Maritime News. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  15. ^ "Fire Broke Out on Ro-Ro Vessel CORONA SEAWAYS". World Maritime News. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Accident Report into the Corona Seaways fire 2013" (PDF).
  17. ^ "Ferry Fire: Man Arrested Over Suspected Arson". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  18. ^ "North Sea ferry fire on MS King Seaways prompts probe". BBC News. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  19. ^ "British police arrest two men over North Sea ferry fire". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
  20. ^ "Man Charged with Arson After North Sea Ferry Fire". The Guardian. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  21. ^ "Drunk passenger starts £800k ferry fire after smoking cannabis in cabin". AOL.
  22. ^ Peterson, Neil. "Engine accident on DFDS Crown Seaways ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo". Demotix. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  23. ^ "Dover Seaways Hits Harbour Wall, Four Injured". World Maritime News. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  24. ^ "'Illusion and inadequate reactions' to blame for Humber collision". Automotive Logistics. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 20 February 2017.

Bibliography

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  • Peter, Bruce (2010). DFDS: Sailing in Style. Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN 9781906608279.
  • Peter, Bruce (2016). DFDS 150. Lyngby, Denmark: Nautilus Forlag. ISBN 9788790924645.
  • Peter, Bruce (2016). Tor Line and the Battle of the North Sea. Lyngby, Denmark: Nautilus. ISBN 9788790924652.
  • Spark, Robert; Swieszkowski, J.M. (1980). 1880-1980 Harwich-Esbjerg. London: DFDS (UK). OCLC 40248447.
  • Thorsøe, Søren (1991). DFDS 1866-1991: Ship development through 125 years - from paddle steamer to ro/ro ship / Skibsudvikling gennem 125 år - fra hjuldamper til rulleskib (in English and Danish). Copenhagen: DFDS. ISBN 8798003003.
  • Thorsøe, Søren; Simonsen, Peter; Krogh-Andersen, Søren; Vaupel, Henrik (2006). DFDS 1991-2006: Ship development continues / Skibsudviklingen fortsætter (in English and Danish). Copenhagen: DFDS. ISBN 8798003038.
  • Widdows, Nick (2010). DFDS: the fleet (new ed.). Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN 9781906608217.
  • DFDS, Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab A/S, 1866 - 1966 / The United Steamship Company Ltd., Copenhagen (in Danish and English). Copenhagen: DFDS. 1966. OCLC 834335974.