DFDS APPOINTS NEW CEO

12 Jan 2026 08:20 CET

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT no. 01 - 12 January 2026



DFDS has today appointed Michael Hansen as President & CEO effective from latest
1 July 2026. Michael Hansen is currently President & CEO of Hempel and succeeds
Torben Carlsen who is expected to step down as President & CEO on the same date.

The appointment follows the initiation of a CEO succession process, as announced
on 6 November 2025, to bring new perspectives to lead DFDS' ongoing transition
towards satisfactory business and financial performance.

Claus V. Hemmingsen, Chair, Board of Directors:
"I am very pleased to welcome Michael Hansen to DFDS. Michael brings new
perspectives and experiences to lead the company's ongoing transition. The clear
short-term task is to lift financial performance. The longer-term task is to
continue to unlock network value through optimisation of operations and organic
growth on the back of DFDS' enduring strengths, not least our highly regarded
customer offerings and service levels as well as our very capable people."

Michael Hansen is a global executive with extensive leadership experience in
shipping, transport, and industrial businesses. As President & CEO of Hempel, he
has led a strategic transformation that has lifted financial performance,
strengthened cash flow, and improved operational scalability. Prior to Hempel,
he spent nearly two decades with A.P. Moller - Maersk, holding senior management
roles across Europe, Latin America, and Oceania, including CEO of Seago Line and
Global Head of Sales for Maersk Line.

Michael Hansen, incoming President & CEO:
"I am looking very much forward to joining DFDS and the opportunity to lead the
ongoing transition to profitable growth. I am passionate about engaging and
empowering people to deliver commercial and financial performance and equally
passionate about moving sustainability forward. DFDS has an impressive legacy
but is currently challenged in some areas. By working together and leveraging
the strong network we can unlock the full potential".


CV overview for Michael Hansen
2017 - present: Group President & CEO, Hempel. Prior positions before becoming
CEO in 2022: Executive Vice President, Energy & Infrastructure, and Group
Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer.

2016 - 2017: Vice President, Global Head of Sales, Maersk Line.

2015 - 2015: CEO, Seago Line.

1998 - 2015: Various management positions, Maersk Line. Positions included
Managing Director, Line Manager, and Sales Director. Locations included Mexico,
Spain, and New Zealand.


Contact

Torben Carlsen, CEO +45 33 42 32 01

Karen Boesen, CFO +45 20 58 58 40

Søren Brøndholt Nielsen, IR +45 33 42 33 59

Dennis Kjærsgaard, Media +45 42 30 38 47


About DFDS

We operate a transport network in and around Europe with an annual revenue of
DKK 30bn and 16,500 full-time employees.

We move goods in trailers by ferry, road & rail, and we offer complementary and
related transport and logistics solutions.

We also move car and foot passengers on short sea and overnight ferry routes.

DFDS was founded in 1866 and headquartered and listed in Copenhagen.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section
5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.


This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section
5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

More information:
Access the news on Oslo Bors NewsWeb site

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