North Sea volumes were above last year’s level on the back of higher volumes on most routes, helped by a favourable comparison against June 2025, when a Swedish national strike depressed activity. Baltic Sea and Strait of Gibraltar volumes were also above 2025.
Mediterranean volumes came in below last year, partly reflecting reduced capacity on certain routes, although growth on the Egypt and Tunisia services continued. Channel volumes were marginally below 2025.
Over the last twelve months, total freight lane metres rose 0.8% to 41.9m from 41.5m in 2025-24, but were down 0.4% when adjusted for route changes.
On the passenger side, the June decline was driven by fewer departures — and consequently lower volumes — on the Strait of Gibraltar, together with weaker volumes on the Dover Strait. For the last twelve months, passenger numbers fell 17.7% to 5.0m from 6.1m in 2025-24, a decrease of 5.3% adjusted for route changes.
DFDS ferry volumes
June
Last-12-months
Freight
2024
2025
2026
Change
2024
2025
2026
Change
Lane metres, ‘000
3,578
3,431
3,543
3.3%
40,001
41,543
41,890
0.8%
Passenger
2024
2025
2026
Change
2024
2025
2026
Change
Passengers, ‘000
608
450
413
-8.0%
5,480
6,052
4,982
-17.7%
© Shippax