Big changes at European ferry firms
Ferry Online Travel News 19/07/2010
Consolidation sees major changes at big ferry companies
Roll-on/roll-off ferry operator Norfolkline has become part of DFDS, following a much-anticipated deal between AP Moller Maersk, who are the former owners of Norfolkline, and DFDS. DFDS now controls 100 per cent of Norfolk Holdings. AP Moller Maersk has taken ownership of 31.% per cent of the shares in DFDS. The deal will not be fully-completed for some time but will lead to considerable changes in the look of the European ferry industry.
The two companies have already begun to consolidate their services and their websites are marketing their mutual routes. DFDS used to run services between Newcastle and Amsterdam, and Harwich and Ejsberg. Following the $500-million deal, DFDS now offers services on routes covering the English Channel and the Irish Sea to Belgium and France.
By next year, the huge deal should be fully completed. This is when a single branding may be implemented to cover all services available. Though there is allegedly little or no overlap in services provided by the two companies, there should inevitably be some rationalization of offices. The branding has already been simplified. The master brand for the combined company is “DFDS”. Two new brands, “DFDS Seaways” and “DFDS Logistics” for shipping and logistics, respectively, have been launched.
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