OCTOBER VOLUMES: SOFT MOMENTUM IN EUROPEAN ECONOMIES LOWERS GROWTH

Core Insights - Total freight volumes in October 2025 were 3.6 million lane metres, which is 3.7% lower than 2024 and 5.7% lower when adjusted for route changes [1] - The total number of passengers in October 2025 decreased by 5.5% to 331,000 compared to 2024, with an adjusted year-to-date growth rate of -4.3% [3] Freight Volumes - North Sea volumes were below 2024 levels due to soft volumes on most routes, while Mediterranean volumes also declined due to increased ferry competition and reduced capacity [1] - Channel volumes decreased due to a slowdown in the Dover Strait corridor, whereas Baltic Sea volumes were above 2024 levels [2] - For the last twelve months (2025-24), total transported freight lane metres increased by 1.0% to 41.5 million from 41.1 million in 2024-23, but decreased by 1.5% when adjusted for route changes [2] Passenger Volumes - The total number of passengers for the last twelve months (2025-24) decreased by 18.0% to 5.3 million compared to 6.5 million for 2024-23, with a growth rate of -4.0% adjusted for route changes [4] - Higher passenger volumes in the Strait of Gibraltar were offset by lower volumes in the Channel, particularly in the coach market [3] DFDS Ferry Volumes - In October 2025, freight volumes were reported at 3,637,000 lane metres, a decrease of 3.7% from 2024, while the last twelve months showed a 1.0% increase in total freight volumes [5] - The number of passengers in October 2025 was 331,000, reflecting a significant decrease of 27.8% from 2024, with the last twelve months showing an 18.0% decrease in total passengers [5]