DFDS to double Newcastle-Amsterdam capacity

DFDS Seaways is to double capacity on its Newcastle to Amsterdam route following a 7.4% increase in turnover.

The King of Scandinavia, which currently operates on the Newcastle to Amsterdam route, will be replaced by the Queen of Scandinavia. The new ship caters for 1,760 passengers compared to 972 (Travel Weekly May 14).

The DFDS Group, meanwhile, has seen an increase in its profits from £18.5 million in 1999 to £74 million in 2000. The Group has put this down to the sale of its affiliated company DFDS Dan Transport and the growth in the number of short breaks and the senior citizen market.

Managing director John Crummie said: “Our annual results demonstrate that we have risen to the challenge of the abolition of duty free and are now entering a crucial growth period.”