New DFDS ferry service: Gdansk-Copenhagen

15.03.2002

On March 13^th, 2002 at the head office of the Port of Gdansk Authority SA a contract had been concluded that provides for the launch of a regular ferry service Gdansk-Copenhagen, Copenhagen-Gdansk. On behalf of the Port of Gdansk Authority SA the contract had been signed by Marian Switek - President of the Board, whereas representing DFDS there were Leif Brammer - Member of the Board at the Seaways Company, general legal adviser of the DFDS ship owners group and Jens Hoybye - Member of the Board at the Seaways Company. The contract had been made for the term of 10-year's time.

- DFDS Tor Line - a part of DFDS dealing with the maritime shipment of cargo - for several years now has kept in touch with the Marketing and the Port of Gdansk Development Division in order to provide constant control of the changes in the in-coming and out-going cargo traffic on the Polish market that is of particular interest - said Peder Gellert Pedersen, the assistant director of DFDS Tor Line A/S. The representatives of DFDS Tor Line had visited a number of Polish ports including Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Gdynia and Gdansk so that the most suitable location could be found to facilitate the servicing of the passenger and cargo traffic onboard the ferries owned by DFDS Seaways and DFDS Tor Line. The officers representing the Port of Gdansk had consistently emphasized the favourable position of the Obroncow Westerplatte Quay that is situated in the close vicinity of the entrance to the port, and, at the same time, within a short distance from the City of Gdansk. Furthermore, both, the passenger cars and the lorries - owing to a recently launched suspension bridge and road connections - will be able to reach the main national transportation routes running to the Poland's other major cities such as Warsaw, Lodz and Poznan without any delays that might be caused due to traffic congestions in the centre of Gdansk.

In DFDS we are all deeply convinced - emphasizes Peder Gellert Pedersen - that both the passengers wishing to visit Poland, in particular the Gdansk region and also the cargo carriers, who always have to focus on the shortest possible transportation time will recognize the DFDS service from the Westerplatte Terminal in Gdansk as the most natural choice. It seems obvious that the launch of a new shipping service - or the opening of a new passenger and cargo terminal - requires considerable efforts and entails the necessity to accept new economical risks. In my opinion, the Port of Gdansk is well prepared to co-operate with DFDS in both these aspects and that this will favourably contribute to the further successful development of the shipping line, as well as the Westerplatte Terminal - adds Peder Gellert Pedersen.

The ferry is to call at the Obroncow Westerplatte Quay, it will initially be moored at the floating ro-ro ramp and, at the later stage - at a modernized Passenger Terminal. Currently, the repair and refurbishment works of the old administration building are in progress to facilitate the reception of passengers, customs clearance, etc., the "Polnord" company being the general contractor of the works. The completion of phase I is due on April 23^rd.
- For a long time now, the reliable prognosis forecast that in the up-and-coming decade the annual growth in the ro-ro shipping from Poland to the Nordic countries will amount to 13-14 per cent - says Marian Switek, President of the Board of the Port of Gdansk Authority SA. Hence our intensive strive aimed at the launch of this service. We are most satisfied with the fact that the co-operation has been established with such a renown carrier and, at the same time, we strongly believe that this enterprise is bound to entail further activities.

According to the latest news we acquired from the DFDS head office - the launch of a regular ferry service from Gdansk to Copenhagen has been scheduled for October 3^rd, 2002. The time-table provides for the calls at Gdansk on the alternate days and the important news is that the Gdansk-Copenhagen service is to include an additional call at the port of Trelleborg, with the ferry remaining there for 1-hour's time. The line will be operated by modern ferry ms "Dana Anglia". It will be stationed in Gdansk between 10.00 - 16.30 hours. Its parameters are as follows: 152.91 meters in length, 5.7 meters in width with the draught of 5.7 meters. The "Dana Anglia" ferry is suited to carry a number of 1100 passengers and 470 passenger cars.