1940-1945 

DFDS lost a total of 31 ships in war actions 

Shortly after World War II broke out in 1939, the passenger routes Esbjerg-Harwich and Copenhagen-Oslo had to be discontinued and the ships laid up.

Also other routes had to be abandoned or restructured. After the occupation of Denmark in 1940 most of the motor ships were laid up due to lack of bunker fuel, and DFDS lost control of 31 of its ships. The domestic routes were kept going to a limited extent, with the help of passenger steamers.

The Germans regularly put pressure on Danish shipowners in order to charter or buy tonnage, and from time to time it was necessary to acquiesce. Altogether twelve ships were requisitioned, including most of the newest passenger motor ships.

Nine of them were returned to DFDS after the war, but all were in terrible condition.

Prior to the German occupation of Denmark nine DFDS ships were sunk. DFDS lost a total of 31 ships in war actions in which more than 300 people lost their lives.