The RoRo shipping company DFDS is expanding its cooperation with the Danish Ministry of Defense. It will provide eight cargo ferries for military operations.
The contract extends the scope of the current agreement and begins in 2026, with a term of up to six years. The DFDS ferries will be used to transport military equipment and other goods for military operations, missions and exercises, as well as for humanitarian disaster relief and routine transportation. The agreement is a response to a time of “increasing political uncertainty”, the ferry operator announced.
Under the contract, DFDS will ensure the safe and efficient delivery of critical goods across the European continent to support security and defense operations by utilizing its extensive fleet and cargo transport capabilities. The ferries will be chartered and made available to the Danish defense at short notice for the period in which the vessels are required.
The agreement was signed with the Joint Movement and Transportation Organization (JMTO) and the ARK Project (ARK) and replaces the current contract from 2020. JMTO is the strategic transport unit of the Danish Defence, while ARK is a cooperation between Germany and Denmark to secure access to strategic sea transport.
DFDS continues cooperation with ministry
“We are honored to have been selected for this important contract and I am proud that we will continue our long-standing cooperation with the Danish Defense and the ARK project,” said DFDS CEO Torben Carlsen. “It demonstrates the value of strong public-private partnerships that can promote resilience in the face of growing geopolitical tensions and increasing economic uncertainty, and we look forward to contributing with our knowledge of transportation and logistics.”
The ships include six named and two unnamed vessels. The latter will be selected based on the specific operational requirements of the Danish defense in each context. The vessels are equipped with special features such as improved maneuverability, the ability to load dangerous goods and sufficient capacity for heavy vehicles.
DFDS has been cooperating with the Danish defense for many years and has supported the ARK project since 2003. DFDS vessels have participated in numerous operations for Denmark, Germany and other NATO allies.
