DFDS Seaways
 | |
| Industry |
Freight Transportation Passenge/Car Transportation |
|---|---|
| Genre | Ferry Company |
| Predecessor |
DFDS Tor Line DFDS Lisco Scandinavian Seaways Norfolkline |
| Headquarters | Copenhagen, Denmark |
Area served |
Baltic Sea English Channel North Sea |
| Parent | DFDS |
| Divisions | DFDS Seaways France |
| Website | www.dfdsseaways.com |
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DFDS Seaways is a large Danish shipping company operating 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.
History
The company renewed their fleet in 2006, purchasing MS King of Scandinavia and MS Princess of Norway to replace the last ships dating from the 1970s still in service. The company has acquired a reputation as something of an expert in purchasing used ships, as the last time DFDS Seaways ordered a newbuild was in 1978 (although they have since taken over build contracts and taken delivery of newbuilds originally ordered by other companies). In 2006 DFDS Seaways stopped serving Sweden when MS Princess of Scandinavia was taken off service and the Copenhagen–Oslo service ships stopped calling at Helsingborg. In May 2008 DFDS made public their 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 out to St Peter Line.
In July 2010, DFDS acquired Norfolkline from Maersk. The Norfolkline routes and vessels were integrated into DFDS Seaways. Now, DFDS Seaways have the Dover–Dunkerque route and have launched the new Dover–Calais route from February 2012.
In 2015, DFDS announced that it had unveiled a new logo, which saw 'DFDS' in a new font and the logo with the white Maltese cross lost its outer circle, furthermore DFDS announced 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 the Maltese cross with the circle. The first vessels to receive the new livery are the former MyFerryLink ferries, Rodin soon to become Cote des Dunes and the Berlioz soon to become the Cote des Flandres, would be the first vessels to receive the new livery and new name scheme, that would eventually be rolled out throughout the whole fleet. All the fleet will lose the 'Seaways' suffix from its name and will instead receive local preference names.
Routes
DFDS Seaways operate twenty routes across the North Sea and Baltic Sea.
Passenger & Freight
- Copenhagen–Oslo
- Dover–Dunkirk
- Dover–Calais
- Klaipėda–Kiel
- Klaipėda–Karlshamn
- Newcastle–IJmuiden
- Newhaven–Dieppe
- Paldiski–Kapellskär
Freight only routes
- Brevik–Ghent
- Brevik–Immingham
- Cuxhaven–Immingham
- Esbjerg–Immingham
- Gothenburg–Ghent
- Gothenburg–Immingham
- Gothenburg–Tilbury
- Klaipėda–Copenhagen–Fredericia
- Paldiski–Kapellskär
- Rosyth – Zeebrugge
- Saint Petersburg–Ust-Luga–Kiel
- Vlaardingen–Felixstowe
- Vlaardingen–Immingham
- Marseille–Tunis
Fleet
DFDS Seaways operate a large fleet of Ro-Ro, Ro-Pax and Cruise ferries. Following restructuring in 2010 all shipping activities (including those of DFDS Tor Line and DFDS Lisco) were rebranded as DFDS Seaways.
Current fleet
| Name | Built | Enterered service | Tonnage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Britannia Seaways | 2000 | 2010 | 24.196 GT | |
| Cimbria Seaways | 1986 | 2010 | 12,189 GT | On charter from LD Lines |
| Crown Seaways | 1994 | 1994 | 35,495 GT | |
| Sirena Seaways | 2002 | 2002 | 22,382 GT | On charter to Brittany Ferries for five years. |
| Delft Seaways | 2006 | 2010 | 35,923 GT | |
| Dover Seaways | 2006 | 2010 | 35,923 GT | |
| Dunkerque Seaways | 2005 | 2010 | 35,923 GT | |
| Ficaria Seaways | 2006 | 2010 | 32,289 GT | |
| Fionia Seaways | 2009 | 2010 | 32,289 GT | |
| Hafnia Seaways | 2008 | 2010 | 32,289 GT | |
| Humber Viking | 2009 | 2010 | 29,004 GT | |
| Jutlandia Seaways | 2010 | 2010 | 32,289 GT | |
| Kaunas Seaways | 1989 | 2010 | 25,606 GT | |
| King Seaways | 1987 | 2006 | 31,395 GT | |
| Victoria Seaways | 2009 | 2010 | 25,518 GT | |
| Optima Seaways | 1999 | 2010 | 25,206 GT | |
| Liverpool Seaways | 1997 | 2010 | 21,856 GT | |
| Cragside | 2010 | 2010 | 29,004 GT | |
| Magnolia Seaways | 2003 | 2010 | 32,400 GT | |
| Calais Seaways | 1991 | 2011 | 28,838 GT | On charter from LD Lines |
| Patria Seaways | 1992 | 2010 | 18,332 GT | |
| Pearl Seaways | 1989 | 2001 | 40,039 GT | |
| Petunia Seaways | 2003 | 2010 | 32,289 GT | |
| Primula Seaways | 2003 | 2010 | 32,400 GT | |
| Princess Maria | 1986 | 2006 | 34,093 GT | On charter to St Peter Line |
| Princess Seaways | 1986 | 2006 | 31,356 GT | |
| Regina Seaways | 2010 | 2011 | 25,518 GT | |
| Selandia Seaways | 2000 | 2010 | 24,196 GT | |
| Begonia Seaways | 2004 | 2010 | 32,289 GT | |
| Botnia Seaways | 2000 | 2010 | 11,530 GT | |
| Corona Seaways | 2007 | 2010 | 25,600 GT | |
| Finlandia Seaways | 2000 | 2010 | 11,530 GT | |
| Freesia Seaways | 2004 | 2010 | 32,289 GT | |
| Vilnius Seaways | 1987 | 2010 | 27,414 GT | |
| Suecia Seaways | 1999 | 1999 | 24,196 GT | |
Former ships
| Ship | In service | Gross Register Tonnage | Status as of 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Aalborgshus 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 |
| MS Dana Anglia MS Duke of Scandinavia | 1978–2002 2002–2006 | 14,399 GRT 15,589 GRT | 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 GRT | Since 2006 MS Jupiter for Royal Group Ltd |
| MS Tor Scandinavia MS Princess of Scandinavia | 1981–1991 1991–2006 | 15,673 GRT 21,545 GRT | Since 2006 MS Moby Otta with Moby Lines |
| MS Scandinavia | 1982–1985 | 26,747 GRT | Since 2002 MS Island Escape with Island Cruises |
| MS Tor Britannia MS Prince of Scandinavia | 1982–1990 1990–2003 | 14,905 GRT 21,545 GRT | Since 2003 MS Moby Drea with Moby Lines |
| MS Hamburg MS Admiral of Scandinavia | 1987–1997 1997–2002 | 12,752 GRT 19,292 GRT | 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 GRT | From 2008 to 2014 MS Bergensfjord with Fjord Line. To be renamed Oslofjord 2014. |
| MS Dieppe Seaways | 2012–2014 | 29,800 GRT | Sold to Stena Line in Nov 2014. Renamed MS Stena Superfast X. Entered Service 09/03/2015. |
Accidents and Incidents
Victoria Seaways 2013 fire
On 23 April 2013, Victoria Seaways caught fire whilst on passage between Kiel, Germany and Klaipeda in 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 Klaipeda shortly after. The cause of the incident is unknown.[3]
Sirena Seaways 2013 dock collision
On 22 June 2013, Sirena Seaways collided with the dockside at Harwich, Essex, with 489 passengers on board. The incident caused some damage to both the dockside, loading ramp and 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 capisizing. 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.[4]
Britannia Seaways 2013 fire
On Saturday 16 November 2013, Britannia Seaways caught fire in the North Sea trapping 32 crew on board. Helicopters were despatched from Norway were unable to take the crew off of the ship due to bad weather conditions. The fire caught alight 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.[5]
Corona Seaways 2013 fire
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. There have been no injuries reported amongst the 10 passengers and 19 crew members. The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation.[6]
King Seaways 2013 fire
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.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9][10] 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. [11]
Crown Seaways 2014 engine incident
On 27 April 2014, Crown Seaways experienced engine problems near the Danish island of Anholt, whislt 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.[12]
Dover Seaways 2014 dock collision
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.[13]
Closure of the Harwich - Esbjerg route
The Harwich - Esbjerg route was closed on the 29th September 2014 due to loss of passengers. The Harwich - Esbjerg route operated since 1875. This closure caused the issue of no DFDS Seaways ferry route crossing directly from England to Denmark. DFDS Seaways worked hard to cut costs on the route to make it more competitive. 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
- ↑ McLean, Anthony (27 May 2008). "DFDS Seaways to close route with loss of 340 jobs". NewsGuardian. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
- ↑ "Extensive improvement plan to safeguard earnings at DFDS Seaways". DFDS press release. DFDS. 27 May 2008. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2008.
- ↑ "Fire at Cargo and Passenger Ship VICTORIA SEAWAYS". World Maritime News. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
- ↑ "Sirena Seaways ferry damaged hitting Harwich dock". BBC News. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ↑ "Fire Extinguished on ‘Britannia Seaways’ Cargo Ship Off Norway". World Maritime News. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ↑ "Fire Broke Out on Ro-Ro Vessel CORONA SEAWAYS". World Maritime News. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
- ↑ "Ferry Fire: Man Arrested Over Suspected Arson". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ↑ "North Sea ferry fire on MS King Seaways prompts probe". BBC News. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ↑ "British police arrest two men over North Sea ferry fire". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ↑ "Man Charged with Arson After North Sea Ferry Fire". The Guardian. 30 December 2013. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ↑ "Drunk passenger starts £800k ferry fire after smoking cannabis in cabin". AOL.
- ↑ Peterson, Neil. "Engine accident on DFDS Crown Seaways ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo". Demotix. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ↑ "Dover Seaways Hits Harbour Wall, Four Injured". World Maritime News. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
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