Annual Report 2024

2023 was the year when shipping really clocked in for the green transition.

In June 2023, the International Maritime Organization reached a historic agreement on a new climate strategy. 175 member countries agreed that global shipping should be climate-neutral by around 2050.

Denmark was among the countries at the forefront of securing as ambitious an agreement as possible. It was a success. We can be proud of that.

Danish shipping companies are also leading the way towards a greener future for our industry. A look at the order books clearly shows this. More than 80% of the ordered tonnage consists of ships that can operate on green fuels.

Last year, Laura Mærsk, the world's first container ship capable of running on e-methanol, was put into use, and ESVAGT has the world’s first service vessel for offshore wind turbines that can operate on green fuels underway.

These are just a few examples. Everything from large container ships and ferries to crew transfer vessels and everything in between that can operate on green fuels is on its way to the Danish shipping companies. Big steps are being taken in the right direction.

Our biggest challenge is that the production of new green fuels needs to scale up significantly if shipping is to become climate-neutral by around 2050. This requires investments throughout the value chain and close cooperation between governments, authorities, energy producers, and companies.

We live in a changing and unfortunately also conflict-ridden world. This was very evident, when international civil ship traffic came under attack with missiles, drones, and outright hijacking attempts in the Red Sea at the end of 2023.

Dangerous and unreasonable attacks on our seafarers, peaceful ships, and important supply chains. Above all, an utterly unacceptable threat to our seafarers. Moreover, detrimental to the global economy and the climate.

From here, a special, heartfelt thanks must be extended to the crew of the Danish frigate Iver Huitfeld, which has been on a mission in the Red Sea to protect Danish and other seafarers. We are proud and grateful for their efforts.

Denmark is a large and proud maritime nation. It requires skilled and innovative companies, skilled employees both at sea and on land, and good, stable framework conditions. Part of the foundation for the success of Danish shipping through generations has indeed been broad political support, reasonable framework conditions, and cross-sector cooperation. We must protect and secure this for the future together.

The Danish shipping companies are sailing into a greener future.

Torben Carlsen, CEO of DFDS and chairman of Danish Shipping