The ferry shipping company Scandlines achieved “solid results” with stable sales in the 2024 financial year.
At the same time, the company was able to secure its competitive position, not least by investing in the fleet and sustainable technology.
According to Scandlines, revenue remained largely stable compared to the previous year at €465 million; earnings before taxes improved to €125 million. Traffic volumes also remained robust: 6.4 million passengers traveled with Scandlines last year, 2.7 million of them in the summer season alone – a new record for the shipping company.
Scandlines strengthens its competitive position
“We have further strengthened our competitive position in a difficult environment by improving our products and services,” says Eric Grégoire, CEO of Scandlines. “Our commercial initiatives, investments in the fleet and port infrastructure as well as our focus on customer convenience have positioned us well for future growth. We are firmly focused on combining efficiency, innovation and sustainability to create an even better offering for our customers and partners.”
The investments amount to a total of €42 million. This also includes “major progress” in reducing CO2 emissions. The new “Futura” ferry, which is emission-free in direct operation, is about to be delivered, and preparations for the conversion of two further ferries to plug-in hybrid operation are well advanced. The company says it wants to operate its fleet in a completely climate-neutral way by 2040.
Dynamic prices and digital innovations
In 2024, Scandlines introduced a dynamic pricing system that offers more flexibility and better value for money for customers who book early or travel on less frequented departures. This contributed to the high capacity utilization during the summer months. Other digital innovations, including license plate recognition and a new app for easier bookings, improved the overall customer experience.
In a highly competitive environment – with alternatives such as the Great Belt Bridge, direct ferry services and air travel – Scandlines continues to improve its offering and invest in technology, sustainability and service innovation to maintain its position. To this end, the company is also continuing to work with the nature conservation organization NABU.
Looking ahead, Scandlines expects moderate growth in traffic volumes in 2025, supported by the commissioning of the new electric cargo ferry and the continuous improvement of digital and operational platforms.
