Torben Carlsen, CEO of ferry operator DFDS, will leave the company in mid-April. CFO Karen Boesen will take the helm until Carlsen’s successor takes over in July.
It has been known since November that Torben Carlsen will step down from his position as President and CEO. He has worked for the Danish shipping company for a total of 16 years and has been at the helm of the company since 2019. Carlsen will leave the company on April 17, 2026.
His successor will be Michael Hansen, currently Managing Director of Hempel, a manufacturer specializing in coatings. He was appointed as the new President and CEO in January, but will not take up his post until July 1.
In the meantime, Karen Boesen, Chief Financial Officer of the shipping company, will take over as interim CEO.
DFDS began a “transformation towards higher business and financial performance” last year. As part of this development, numerous jobs in the company were cut and the succession of the management was decided. “Towards the end of 2025, the financial position began to improve and this trend continued in the first months of 2026,” the shipping company announced.
“On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Torben Carlsen for his many years of dedicated leadership,” said Claus V. Hemmingsen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “Torben’s dedication to the company, his personal integrity and his tireless pursuit of the interests of our customers, employees and partners have been exceptional. The Supervisory Board also appreciates that Torben’s continued commitment during the transition period has ensured that DFDS remains on track during this process. We wish Torben all the best for the future.”
Carlsen himself expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the company. “The strength of our employees and our collective successes fill me with pride and confidence for the future of DFDS,” he said. “In recent years, the results in some areas have not met our expectations. It is all the more pleasing that the results towards the end of 2025 and in the first months of the year indicate that 2026 will be a turning point. I will always cherish the relationships I have built up over the years with colleagues, customers and other partners. I wish Michael Hansen all the best. I know he can count on the support of a great company.”
