DFDS CEO Niels Smedegaard is leaving the company after 12 years in the top job.
The resigning boss will be replaced by CFO Torben Carlsen at the end of April.
Carlsen joined in 2009 and together with Smedegaard has overseen growth at DFDS, including the acquisition of Turkey's U.N. Ro-Ro.
Smedegaard said: "My time at DFDS has been a fantastic journey, and I am proud of the progress that has been made for the company and its employees, customers and shareholders since I joined.
"It has been a difficult decision to say goodbye but having managed the company for over 12 years, the time has come to move on and use my energy and experience in board positions.
"DFDS is strongly positioned for the future, and I feel very confident about passing on the steering wheel to Torben and I wish him good speed for the future."
Last year was a record high for DFDS, with operating profit was up 10.6% to DKK 3bn and revenue at DKK 15.7bn ($2.4bn), up 9.7%.
Chairman Claus Hemmingsen said: "Niels has executed an impressive transformation of DFDS. In the time he has led the business, it has more than doubled in size.
"DFDS is today a far more profitable company, with highly skilled employees well prepared to continue the growth and deal with the challenges that the future brings, including Brexit and the growing demands for digitisation."
Carlsen, 53, has previously worked in the US and Switzerland, primarily within aviation and for private equity funds.
He said: "DFDS is a unique company with a long and exciting history, so I am proud that the board is placing its trust in me and humble about the task ahead. I look forward to working with the rest of the management and our many skilled colleagues to continue the good development of DFDS, based on the strategic plans we have developed in close cooperation with the board."
