Ferry – freight: In August 2026, total volumes of 3.1m lane metres were on level with August 2025.
North Sea volumes were above 2025 with higher volumes on most routes. Mediterranean volumes were just below 2025 following lower volumes on mainly one route.
Channel volumes were below 2025 which was in line with a decrease in overall ferry market volumes. Baltic Sea volumes were below 2025 while Strait of Gibraltar volumes were well above 2025.
For the last twelve months, the total transported freight lane metres increased 0.4% to 41.8m from 41.6m in 2025-24 and decreased 0.5% adjusted for route changes.
Ferry – passenger: In August 2026, the number of passengers decreased 4.6% to 934k compared to 2025 following mainly lower volumes on the Dover Strait which was in line with a decrease in overall market volumes.
For the last twelve months, the total number of passengers decreased 12.4% to 4.9m compared to 5.6m in 2025-24. The decrease was 5.3% adjusted for route changes.
| DFDS ferry volumes | |||||||||
| August | Last-12-months | ||||||||
| Freight | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change | |
| Lane metres, ‘000 | 3,185 | 3,134 | 3,133 | 0.0% | 40,527 | 41,618 | 41,774 | 0.4% | |
| Passenger | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Change | |
| Passengers, ‘000 | 1,207 | 980 | 934 | -4.6% | 6,249 | 5,619 | 4,924 | -12.4% | |
DFDS reports monthly ferry volumes for freight and passengers to provide insight into the development of volume trends in our European route network enabling trade and travel in and around Europe. The September 2026 volume report is expected to be published on 13 October 2026 at around 10.00am CET.
(DFDS)
