The Danish ferry operator, DFDS Seaways, has increased its pre-tax profit outlook for 2010 after posting strong results for the third quarter of the year. DFDS Seaways has outperformed its start-of-year objectives by achieving solid growth and increased passenger numbers in Q3.

CEO Niels Smedegaard, said: “We have gotten off to a really good start in the integration of DFDS and Norfolkline.” DFDS Seaways, which earlier in the year purchased Norfolkline from the Danish shipping and oil group, AP Moller-Maersk A/S, announced pre-tax profit of DKK288 million (Danish krone) – a rise of DKK44 million or approximately 18 per cent on the previous year.

Part of DFDS Seaways’ success can be attributed to the volcanic ash cloud, which caused widespread disruption to air travel in Northern Europe between April and May this year. The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland grounded thousands of flights across Europe, allowing ferry companies to enjoy a substantial uptake in passenger numbers.

Although DFDS Seaways has lifted its expectations for the final quarter, the company anticipates a reduction in growth due to the ongoing economic problems affecting Europe. The ferry operator’s revenue for the current year is expected to top DKK10 billion.

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