TRIESTE – DFDS is bringing forward its leadership change: Torben Carlsen will step down as CEO on 17 April 2026, ahead of the timeline originally envisaged.
The decision was taken by the board of directors as part of the succession process launched on 6 November 2025, with the aim of bringing in new skills and supporting the group’s transition towards improved operational and financial performance. At the port of Trieste, the company controls one of the terminals (Samer Seaports) serving the Motorway of the Sea with Turkey and is in direct competition with Grimaldi Group.
According to the company, financial results had already shown signs of recovery by the end of 2025, with a positive trend also confirmed in the first months of 2026. This performance, together with the completion of the annual general meeting and the need to manage a longer handover period, led the board to bring the timetable forward.
From 18 April 2026 the group will be temporarily led by Karen Boesen, the current CFO, who has been appointed interim CEO.
The designated new chief executive, Michael Hansen, will officially join DFDS on 1 July 2026, thus completing the succession process defined earlier this year.
