# DFDS Completes DKK 165 Million Gibraltar Strait Ferry Acquisition

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/dfds-completes-dkk-165-million-gibraltar-strait-ferry-acquisition-1b56b0
- Published: 2026-10-08T12:30:00Z
- Category: mergers; sentiment: neutral; impact: medium
- Symbols: [OMXCOP:DFDS](https://stocks.freetheai.org/symbols/OMXCOP-DFDS)
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DFDS A/S (OMXCOP:DFDS) has finalized its acquisition of the Strait of Gibraltar ferry route between Algeciras and Tangier Med from Naviera Armas for DKK 165 million, following regulatory approvals from Spanish and Moroccan authorities. The transaction, completed on October 8, 2026, includes the passenger and freight ferry Volcan de Tamasite, route operating permits, and the transfer of approximately 200 employees.

This transaction will merge the newly acquired operations with DFDS's existing services on the route, aiming to scale up operations in a growing regional market. The acquisition increases DFDS's capacity share on a joint freight vessel on this route from 33% to 50%. However, DFDS decided to cancel a separate agreement to acquire the Algeciras-Ceuta route after Spanish antitrust requirements exceeded the agreed terms.

DFDS has maintained its full-year 2026 capital expenditure guidance of DKK 1.7 billion, explaining that the DKK 165 million acquisition cost will be offset by lower-than-expected operating capex. The company's adjusted free cash flow outlook also remains unchanged, as acquisition expenditures are excluded from this metric. DFDS shares fell 0.56% to 159.2 DKK following the announcement.

## Key points

- DFDS completed the acquisition of Naviera Armas' Algeciras-Tangier Med ferry operations for DKK 165 million.
- The transaction includes the 2004-built vessel Volcan de Tamasite and the transfer of around 200 employees.
- DFDS abandoned plans to acquire the Algeciras-Ceuta route due to excessive Spanish regulatory conditions.
- The company's full-year 2026 capex outlook remains unchanged at DKK 1.7 billion.

## Questions and answers

### Why did DFDS cancel the Algeciras-Ceuta route acquisition?

DFDS withdrew from the Algeciras-Ceuta agreement because the Spanish competition authority's requirements went beyond the conditions agreed upon by the parties.

### How does the Naviera Armas acquisition affect DFDS's 2026 capex guidance?

DFDS's full-year 2026 capex outlook remains unchanged at DKK 1.7 billion, as the DKK 165 million acquisition cost is expected to be offset by lower-than-anticipated operating capex.

### What assets did DFDS acquire in the Strait of Gibraltar transaction?

DFDS acquired the 2004-built ferry Volcan de Tamasite, route operating permits, and increased its capacity share on a joint freight ferry from 33% to 50%, while onboarding 200 employees.