John Steen-Mikkelsen talks about Danish Ferries' improved results and role as host for the Interferry conference
By
Michele Witthaus |
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2015 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review.
Danske Færger (Danish Ferries) operates 12 ferries on seven routes, its fleet encompassing a range of smaller traditional ferries, ro-pax and large high-speed ferries. Responsible for carrying 4.4m passengers, 1.1m cars and 90,000 lorries on a yearly basis, the line serves the islands and outer areas in Denmark and connects these with the mainland and capital island.
“The business is based on serving the natural traffic flow of the islands, while at the same time creating additional travel business by incoming tourists,” says John Steen-Mikkelsen. “Over the last years we have invested heavily in profiling and promoting our islands, an effort conducted in close partnership with the tourism partners and incoming agents in the different local areas. The company has made a great turnaround from severe deficits in 2009-2010 to positive results from 2013 onwards. This has been made possible due to a much lower cost base and an increased top line.”
This improvement is largely thanks to the company paying close attention to its customers. “We regularly ask our customers about their needs and experiences with us in order to give them the best possible service when travelling with us. In practice, onboard the vessels we have a strong focus on maximising the flow of people in the restaurants as well as in the shops.” The aim is to encourage increased onboard spend by making it easy for guests to find what they want. “Through advertising on screens, relevant material distributed onboard, and on the website and ticket mailings, we seek to motivate our customers to spend money onboard.”
There are still important issues facing Danish Ferries and other ferry operators in this region, says Steen-Mikkelsen. “The challenge will be the outcome of the crisis within the European Union. If countries in the union will leave or will be forced to leave, it will have an impact on the transportation of goods between the Nordic countries and Europe. It might even impact the travel business, if the consequences of less trade with Europe will affect the employment rate, and thus impact the travelling of private customers negatively.”
An important focus for the line is compliance with an ever-growing list of regulatory and environmental requirements. “Danske Færger complies with the latest sulphur regulations by either running on marine diesel with less than 0.1% sulphur or by scrubbers installed onboard the vessels,” explains Steen-Mikkelsen. “All vessels are in compliance with the latest SOLAS and IMO regulations.”
The eyes of ferry operators from around the globe will be on Danish Ferries in October, when the company will host the annual Interferry Conference in Copenhagen. “This year’s focus will be on fire safety as well other aspects in regulations and safe operations,” he says. “The conference is held in connection with the Maritime Days event in Copenhagen, which means that in week 41 the whole maritime industry in Denmark and globally will be focusing on the maritime business. I am sure that we will have some interesting days at the conference and look forward to welcoming all expected 300 guests.” The conference will be opened by the Minister of Transport in Denmark as well by the chairman of the Transport and Tourism committee for the European Parliament. “This is a testament to the fact that the ferry business is of great significance to the overall infrastructure in the EU and the rest of the world,” observes Steen-Mikkelsen.