DFDS has signed an agreement to purchase 98.8% of the Turkish ferry operator UN Ro-Ro for €950 million.

Operating five ferry routes across the Mediterranean, which connect Italy, France and Turkey, UN Ro-Ro owns 12 vessels and two ports in Italy and Turkey.

Employing around 500 people, UN Ro-Ro connects the ports of Pendik, Ambarli and Mersin in Turkey, with Trieste and Bari in Italy, Toulon in France and Patras in Greece.

Niels Smedegaard, CEO & President of DFDS said

"The operation of Ro-Ro ships and operation of port terminals handling a high number of unaccompanied trailer units, and containers for reloading to rail transport in the ports, are very similar to DFDS' business in the North Sea. So are the goods transported, machinery, automotive parts, vehicles, electronics, computers, plastic products, textiles, clothing, food, fruit, beverages and other commodities.

UN Ro-Ro is a highly profitable company, and we are confident that joining forces will create new exciting opportunities as we can expand services to new customers and combine the two sales organisations. I look very much forward to welcoming UN Ro-Ro to DFDS. I am also very pleased that the skilled and professional management of UN Ro-Ro have decided to stay with us and help us ensure that all our current and new employees and customers benefit from this."

Subject to approval from the relevant authorities, the sale is expected to be completed by June 2018.