DFDS changes tonnage on Newcastle ferry routes
Increasing volumes means changes to meet demand

Due to commercial trends and operational considerations DFDS Seaways is altering the tonnage operating on its routes from Newcastle upon Tyne.

Effective from the 29th May 2007, the tonnage on routes to Amsterdam and Norway will be altered. The m.s. QUEEN OF SCANDINAVIA will commence operation on the Newcastle – Stavanger – Haugesund – Bergen route, and the m.s. PRINCESS OF NORWAY will join her sister ship the m.s. KING OF SCANDINAVIA on the route to Amsterdam.

The alterations will allow DFDS Seaways to match the trends in customer needs and service the lines effectively.

Being sister vessels, the m.s. PRINCESS OF NORWAY and m.s. KING OF SCANDINAVIA have the same capacity on the vehicle deck, much larger than that of the m.s. QUEEN OF SCANDINAVIA, and will provide a complementary cabin mix on the route to Amsterdam.

In the first quarter of 2007 DFDS Seaways has seen vehicular volume increase by 26%, a trend which the company believes is set to continue.

The route is increasingly being used by consumers as a gateway to holidays in Europe with more and more people travelling with their cars. In addition the route also takes in to consideration increasing freight volume.

With the m.s. QUEEN OF SCANDINAVIA operating the route to Norway, the extra onboard facilities including two large cinemas and an indoor swimming pool will provide passengers with additional leisure activities and entertainment whilst at sea for around 26 hours.

Since the introduction of the route to Norway DFDS Seaways has recognised an increase in customer demand for coastal voyages and short city breaks, with more and more passengers taking the cruise option and travelling without their vehicles. Therefore the smaller vehicle deck on this vessel will reflect this trend.

John Crummie, UK Managing Director commented “We understand that these changes will cause some inconvenience to a small number of customers including a few tour operating partners and DFDS Seaways sincerely apologises for this.

“However due to commercial and operational considerations these changes are necessary and we feel will offer our guests a service more tailored to their needs – we will be able to accommodate more vehicle-led customers on the Amsterdam route and provide more onboard facilities on the Norwegian route.”

DFDS Seaways operates the three largest passenger vessels across the North Sea on routes from Newcastle to Bergen and Amsterdam, Harwich to Esbjerg.