Safety & security at DFDS 

The security and safety of passengers, crew, tonnage and cargo are of the highest priority and constitute an integral part of the company's overall policies, strategies and targets.

The safety-management system (ISM) is actively developed on an ongoing basis. The system is based on documented processes that focus on all aspects of onboard security, including ensuring that the requirements of both legislation and internal Group specifications are fulfilled.

Much of the safety work takes the form of well-established onboard inspection and maintenance routines. The management continually monitors the results of this work, and individual parts of the system are analysed and processed as required.

In addition, all the ships are subjected to an in-house audit at least once a year. The purpose of these extensive control mechanisms is to ensure safety, and to collate important information that can be applied to fleet-wide preventative measures.

At legally specified intervals, both the shipping company and the fleet are subjected to inspections and security and safety audits by relevant authorities in the state under whose flag the ships sail. These inspections are carried out by classification societies, by the EU and by insurance companies.

Exercises and training are key elements in safety work. Different types of onboard emergency and safety exercises, involving all or parts of the crew, take place all the time. In addition, the fleet regularly takes part in exercises with different countries' emergency services, in order to train staff, exchange experiences and ensure the ships are prepared for any eventuality.

DFDS engages in active discussion about ongoing improvements to onboard security and safety with various organisations and official bodies at national, European and international level. DFDS is also represented on several organs in the Danish Shipowners' Association, and by the Danish representative to the International Chamber of Shipping’s Passenger Ship Panel. On behalf of Denmark, DFDS also chairs “Nordkompass”, the Nordic Committee for Passenger Ship Safety.