1866: The Launch of a Major Shipping and Logistics Company

December 11, 1866

In Denmark, the shipping business DFDS was established as a merger of that nation’s three largest steamship companies. Those three companies were brought together as a single entity under the leadership of renowned industrialist and financier Carl Frederik Tietgen (1829-1901), who played a key role in the economic growth and prosperity of Denmark during the 19^th century. 

DFDS stands for “Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab,” which means “The United Steamship Company.” DFDS officially began its operations three weeks after being formed. The company initially had 19 ships running out of Copenhagen for the transport of both passengers and freight from Denmark to Norway, the Baltic region, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Iceland, and the Faeroe Islands.

Over time, DFDS steadily expanded its fleet and added routes from Denmark to Sweden, France, North America, South America, the Mediterranean Basin, and the Black Sea region. By the 1880s, DFDS had become one of the world’s 10 largest ship-owning companies. 

DFDS and its vessels would subsequently weather everything from ever-increasing global trade challenges to the destruction and disruptions of both world wars. The company also earned a reputation within the industry as a pacesetter. In 1925, for example, DFDS launched the world’s first motor-driven short-sea passenger ship. DFDS remains in operation today as one of Northern Europe’s largest shipping and logistics company.

Photo Credit: Thomas Dahlstrøm Nielsen (licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)

For more information on DFDS, please check out https://www.dfds.com/en/about/our-history

Additional information on Carl Frederik Tietgen is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Frederik_Tietgen