DFDS VP & Head of Türkiye Logistics Jeppe Skivild explained the integration process and the company’s growth plans after the acquisition of Ekol International Transport. “We combine Türkiye’s strategic position with our strong logistics network in Europe,” said Jeppe Skivild, and his 2025 targets; He listed these as accelerating organic growth, expanding the service network, increasing operational efficiency, continuing digitalization investments and developing low-emission logistics solutions.
Can you provide information about your restructuring process and the integration between the two companies following the acquisition?
Our acquisition of Ekol International Transport in November 2024 was a strategic step that strengthened our ability to provide a reliable and efficient transport infrastructure supporting Türkiye’s continued growth.This integration allows us to bring the successful approach DFDS has applied in Europe for many years to Türkiye and combine it with our extensive European network and resources- enabling us to offer our customers more comprehensive, seamless, and efficient logistics solutions.
During the integration process, our primary goal has been to ensure operational continuity while facilitating a smooth transition for both our employees and customers. By combining the strong expertise and experience of our colleagues in Türkiye with DFDS’s extensive ferry and logistics network and operational strength, we are creating synergies. To maximize the benefits of this integration, we have aligned our operational processes with DFDS’s standards, ensuring that our Turkish colleagues’ local expertise is seamlessly integrated with DFDS’s global capabilities.
This acquisition reflects our strong confidence in Türkiye as a manufacturing hub with a strong production and export potential. By enhancing our end-to-end transportation services, we aim to further strengthen and expand the supply chain between Europe and Türkiye.
How will DFDS’s advanced logistics structure in Europe benefit the Turkish market?
Since its foundation in 1866, DFDS has built a unique infrastructure of land and sea routes connecting European countries with each other as well as with Türkiye. After successfully implementing our business model- which integrates ferry, road, and rail transport- in Northern Europe, we now aim to expand this approach in the Mediterranean region to enhance trade between Türkiye and Europe. The fact that Türkiye and the Mediterranean region account for approximately 30% of DFDS’s global business volume clearly demonstrates our strategic commitment to this market.
Türkiye holds significant potential in its trade relations with Europe, with the market expected to grow by 14% annually until 2028. In line with this growth, we are integrating DFDS’s extensive logistics network and advanced technologies into the Turkish market, offering our customers more competitive, efficient, and scalable solutions.
With the addition of Ekol International Transport’s operations into DFDS, we have merged local expertise in Türkiye with our advanced logistics infrastructure in Europe. This integration not only accelerates transportation between Türkiye and Europe but also enhances operational efficiency and reliability. At DFDS, we are committed to being an integral part of Türkiye’s growing transportation and logistics sector and to establishing a more integrated trade network between Europe and Türkiye.
TURKIYE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN CONSIDE 30 PERCENT OF THE BUSINESS VOLUME
What services do you offer on the Türkiye-Europe route and within Europe? Which types of goods do you transport, to which countries, using which transit times and transport modes, either directly or in transit?
We provide flexible and efficient transport solutions, both direct and in transit, across continental Europe, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and to North Africa. Our transport modes include road, sea, rail, and intermodal solutions, with specialized services such as temperature-controlled transport and expedited “Speedy” services for time-sensitive cargo. Thanks to our Speedy service, we can deliver shipments from Türkiye to Germany in 36 to 48 hours without being affected by any road restrictions. Depending on customer requirements and cargo specifications, we transport a wide range of commercial goods while leveraging DFDS’s extensive network across Europe- extending this fast, reliable service to Ireland and even the Scandinavian countries.Additionally, our bonded warehousing services enable clients to store and manage goods within customs-approved facilities, helping reduce costs and simplify cross-border operations. This approach enhances inventory control, shortens lead times, and ensures a smoother flow of goods to markets across the region. Combined with our digital logistics solutions- which automate and streamline customs clearance and cargo tracking- we deliver secure, transparent, and efficient supply chains from start to finish. By leveraging DFDS’s robust network, operational infrastructure, and flexible transport models, we help our customers gain a significant competitive edge in international trade.
How do you overcome bottlenecks in European road transport, and what advantages do your specialized solutions offer to customers in terms of time, cost, etc.?
Road transportation between Türkiye and Europe often faces challenges such as border congestion, driver visa issues, and operational constraints. At DFDS, we have experience and a proven operational model that enables us to mitigate these bottlenecks.
Our integrated intermodal solutions, which combine road freight, ferries and rail networks, enable cargo from Türkiye to reach various European destinations without being affected by border delays. By seamlessly transferring shipments between different transport modes and leveraging our extensive truck fleet, we minimize border wait times and provide faster, more reliable, and cost-effective logistics solutions.
Additionally, by expanding our intermodal transportation, we significantly reduce road congestion and carbon emissions. With our recent investments in electric trucks, we are further reducing fossil fuel consumption and reinforcing our commitment to low emission/decarbonised logistics solutions.
What is your transport volume for Europe-bound shipments (export, import, and transit)?
As DFDS Türkiye & Europe South Business Unit, we transport approximately 100,000 trailers annually between Türkiye and Europe.. This volume clearly demonstrates DFDS’s role in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of trade between Türkiye and Europe and highlights our strong logistics infrastructure and long-term commitment to the Mediterranean region.
‘WE WILL ACCELERATE ORGANIC GROWTH’
What kind of logistics infrastructure (offices, warehouses, companies, etc.) does DFDS have in Europe? What are your targets and plans for 2025?
DFDS integrates its well-established European logistics network with Türkiye’s strategic location to provide comprehensive transportation solutions. With over 17,000 employees, operations in more than 20 countries, 3.200 trucks, 15.000 trailers, 50 weekly rail round trips, ports, ferry services, and warehouses, we have one of the strongest logistics infrastructures in the industry.
In an increasingly complex and resource-constrained global trade environment, delivering sustainable logistics solutions is one of our top priorities. With our strong human capital and extensive logistics network, we have established ourselves as a leading provider of reliable and innovative transportation services. For 2025, our key objectives include accelerating organic growth, expanding our services to a broader customer base, and optimizing our existing operations for greater efficiency. We also aim to enhance our low emission logistics solutions and continue our digitalization investments. By improving operational efficiency, we strive to build a more agile and customer-centric logistics framework.
‘AS DFDS, WE ARE COMMITTED TO GREEN TRANSFORMATION’
How will the European Green Deal and ETS impact the logistics sector, and how is DFDS preparing for this transformation?
The European Green Deal and Emissions Trading System (ETS) are pushing the logistics industry towards decarbonized and more sustainable transportation. ETS I is already in place for maritime transport and we expect ETS II which is coming in the road transport business, to affect fuel pricing, effectively making diesel less competitive compared to lower carbon options. In addition, road tariffs in EU member states will start to reduce the price gap between green and black transport. At DFDS, we are committed to the green transition and we are deploying electric trucks in our fleet, expanding intermodal transportation, and improving energy efficiency, as well as adopting transition fuels such as HVO to lower emissions from our logistics operations . Therefore, regulatory measures which level the playing field for low-emission transport solutions are welcomed by us. We see the Green Deal not as a regulatory obligation but as an investment in the future, and we are committed to decarbonise our operations as soon as it is feasible.
