Boden George Hughes, 26, from Sunderland, is accused of starting the blaze in a cabin on the 31,800-gt King Seaways (built 1987).

The incident is said to have cost DFDS £815,000 ($1.37m).

The ship was 30 miles off the English coast en route to the Netherlands when the fire started, forcing the evacuation of six people who suffered smoke inhalation.

Judge Paul Sloan said he would be remanding Hughes in custody and set a trial date in June.