What CargoBeamer does

CargoBeamer AG is a Leipzig-headquartered intermodal rail freight operator that runs scheduled transport of semi-trailers by rail across Europe, primarily serving logistics companies, freight forwarders, and large-scale shippers. The company operates five fixed-timetable intermodal routes connecting Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania, and the United Kingdom, with 50 weekly train trips and a fleet of 430 proprietary railcars. Its terminals in Calais, Domodossola, and Kaldenkirchen (with a fourth German terminal under construction) anchor the network, supplemented by partner-operated endpoints at DUSS Kornwestheim, FNM Milan, CEPIM Parma, Novandi Liège, and others.

The company is built around a patented horizontal-loading rail wagon and automated terminal gate-module system, EU-certified in 2013, which can load up to 38 semi-trailers per train — including non-craneable, tank, and refrigerated units — without trailer modifications, completing full train loading and unloading in 20 minutes. An in-house eLogistics digital platform, hosted on SimplyDeliver's white-label infrastructure, handles online booking, real-time GPS tracking, document management, and integrated multimodal shipment coordination. Railcars are assembled at the company's own Erfurt facility. The platform's primary differentiator is its ability to put the roughly three-quarters of European semi-trailers that conventional intermodal systems cannot handle onto electric rail.

CargoBeamer generates revenue primarily through per-loading-unit transaction fees on intermodal rail transport, supplemented by terminal operations (managed services) and a subscription-style eLogistics platform layer embedded in customer relationships. Pricing is quote-based and non-public, with customers submitting requests via a sales-led motion targeting enterprise logistics accounts and a self-serve booking portal for mid-market users. The company has raised approximately €251 million across 2020-2025, including debt from the European Investment Bank and growth capital rounds from public-sector transport authorities and Orion Infrastructure Capital, with the most recent €65M tranche in February 2025 earmarked for pan-European infrastructure expansion. Leadership is a professional management team (CEO Nicolas Albrecht, COO Boris Timm ex-Amazon/Maersk, CDO Julian Hagenschulte) with founder Hans-Jürgen Weidemann continuing as CTO.

Name

CargoBeamer

Legal name

CargoBeamer AG

Website

https://cargobeamer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

CargoBeamer AG is a Leipzig-based intermodal rail freight operator that uses patented horizontal-loading rail wagons and automated terminals to move all semi-trailer types, including non-craneable units, by rail across Europe, serving logistics companies, freight forwarders, and large-scale shippers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intermodal Rail Freight Transport

NAICS

Line-Haul Railroads (482111), Rail Transportation (4821)

SIC

Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013), Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011)

akta.pro primary industry

Intermodal Terminal Value-Added Services (Cross-Dock, Transload, Stuffing/Stripping) (TLAJAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Expedited Intermodal (Time-Definite Rail/Truck) (TLADANAF), Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)

Keywords

• Intermodal rail transport
• Horizontal loading wagons
• Combined transport terminals
• Semi-trailer rail logistics
• Road to rail solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Leipzig

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Intermodal Rail Freight Transport: CargoBeamer operates, markets, and dispatches CargoBeamer trains on intermodal routes across Europe, charging shippers and freight forwarders for transporting semi-trailers by rail. Revenue is generated per loading unit transported, with regular scheduled services (fixed timetables) connecting terminals.
2. Terminal Operations: CargoBeamer constructs, operates, and maintains CargoBeamer terminals. The company assumed operations of the Kaldenkirchen terminal in April 2026 and operates the Calais and Domodossola terminals. Terminal services include check-in/check-out of trailers, loading/unloading, and slot management.
3. Railcar Design, Use, and Service: CargoBeamer designs and services its patented railcars. The company has its own railcar assembly facility in Erfurt and maintains a fleet of 430+ railcars. Railcars are deployed on CargoBeamer-operated routes and offered as part of the integrated logistics service.
4. eLogistics IT Services: The CargoBeamer eLogistics platform handles booking, billing, tracking, and document management for customers. This digital platform is integrated into the transport service and supports the customer portal for self-serve booking and shipment management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CargoBeamer operates a proprietary intermodal rail-road transport system that moves semi-trailers (including non-craneable, tank, and refrigerated units) from road to rail using patented horizontal-loading rail wagons and automated transshipment terminals. The company runs scheduled rail services across Europe on fixed timetables through its own terminals and fleet of 430 railcars, complemented by the eLogistics digital platform for booking, tracking, and shipment management.

Product overview

CargoBeamer offers a unified intermodal rail transport system centered on three integrated pillars: (1) proprietary CargoBeamer Railcars — patented horizontal-loading wagons enabling all semi-trailer types (including non-craneable) on rail without modification; (2) the eLogistics digital platform for online booking, real-time GPS tracking, document management, and multimodal shipment coordination; and (3) a growing European network of CargoBeamer terminals and partner-operated facilities. The company operates scheduled rail services (routes: Kaldenkirchen–Domodossola, Calais–Perpignan, Stuttgart–Milan, Liège–Parma, Venlo–Oradea) connecting major logistics hubs across Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Romania, and the UK, with CO₂ savings of 79–93% per unit versus road transport.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CargoBeamer Intermodal Rail Transport Intermodal rail transport service that enables all types of semi-trailers (including non-craneable, refrigerated, tank, and standard units) to be transferred from trucks to rail using patented horizontal loading wagons. Up to 38 semi-trailers per train with full loading/unloading in 20 minutes. Targets logistics companies, freight forwarders, and shippers across Europe.
• eLogistics Platform Digital platform enabling online booking of intermodal transports, document management, real-time GPS tracking 24/7, invoice handling, framework agreement management, and integrated multimodal booking across different transport modes.
• CargoBeamer Terminal Operations Construction, operation, and maintenance of automated CargoBeamer terminals featuring horizontal transshipment technology. Terminals handle check-in/check-out, loading/unloading of semi-trailers, and slot management. Calais features 18 double gate modules handling up to 900 semi-trailers per day.
• Kaldenkirchen – Domodossola Route Flagship intermodal route between Germany and Italy via Swiss Alps. Operates 20 weekly roundtrips with 23-hour transit time and 79% CO2 reduction per unit versus road transport.
• Calais – Perpignan Route Intermodal route linking UK flows with northern Spain between CargoBeamer Terminal Calais and Perpignan Saint Charles Conteneur Terminal. Operates 6 weekly roundtrips with 26-hour transit time and 93% CO2 reduction.
• Stuttgart – Milan Route Intermodal route connecting DUSS Terminal Kornwestheim near Stuttgart with Terminal Malpensa Intermodale in Greater Milan area. Operates 4 weekly roundtrips with 20-hour transit time and 88% CO2 reduction per semi-trailer versus road.
• Liège – Parma Route Intermodal route between Belgium and Italy. Operates 6 weekly roundtrips with 40-hour transit time and 86% CO2 reduction. Handles craneable and non-craneable semi-trailers, ADR, and waste units.
• Venlo – Oradea Route Intermodal route connecting Netherlands to Romania, the first intermodal connection between these two countries. Operates 7 weekly roundtrips with 60-hour transit time and 88% CO2 reduction. Handles non-craneable and craneable semi-trailers, containers, swap bodies, tank, and fridge units.
• Customer Portal Online customer portal for managing shipments, booking transports, tracking status updates, managing invoices and conditions, users, and framework agreements. Hosted on SimplyDeliver platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% CO2 reduction per transported unit compared to diesel road transport
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• SBB Cargo InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBB Cargo International provides rail traction for the Stuttgart-Milan service. The partnership enables CargoBeamer to operate its intermodal routes using Swiss rail infrastructure expertise.
• LineascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLineas serves as the rail traction partner for the Calais-Perpignan route since December 2025. The partnership enables CargoBeamer to operate daily departures on the north-south French corridor.
• Cabooter GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Dutch Cabooter Group operates the existing reach stacker facility at Kaldenkirchen where CargoBeamer has been operating its intermodal service for several years. CargoBeamer assumed full terminal operations in April 2026 and is expanding the site into the first CargoBeamer terminal in Germany on land adjacent to the existing Cabooter facility.
• FNM GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFNM Group operates the Milan (Sacconago) terminal (Malpensa Intermodale) where CargoBeamer's new Stuttgart-Milan service terminates. The partnership is central to CargoBeamer's expansion into the Greater Milan area.
• DUSS (Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-Straße)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDUSS operates the Kornwestheim terminal near Stuttgart where CargoBeamer's Stuttgart-Milan service originates. The DUSS-Terminal Kornwestheim is the German endpoint for the new connection.
• CEPIM SpAsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEPIM SpA (Centro Padano Interscambio Merci) operates the Parma terminal, the Italian endpoint of the Liège-Parma route.
• NovandisecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovandi operates the Liège Logistics Intermodal terminal in Belgium, serving as the Belgian endpoint for CargoBeamer's Liège-Parma route.
• Routier European TransportsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoutier European Transport operates the Oradea Intermodal Terminal in Romania, the eastern endpoint of the Venlo-Oradea route connecting the Netherlands to Romania.
• PSCCT (Perpignan Saint Charles Conteneur Terminal)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSCCT operates the Perpignan Saint Charles Conteneur Terminal in France, the southern endpoint of the Calais-Perpignan route serving the Spanish border region.
• GetlinksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGetlink operates the Ashford terminal (Waterbrook Ave) in the UK, enabling CargoBeamer's connection to UK road freight flows via the Channel Tunnel.
• EiffagecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerA consortium led by the French construction group Eiffage carried out construction of the Calais terminal. Eiffage is one of Europe's leading construction and concessions companies.
• BLS CargominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBLS Cargo provided traction for CargoBeamer's early Kaldenkirchen-Domodossola operations.
• Hamburg Süd / HSLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHamburg Süd (HSL) provided traction for CargoBeamer's early operations on the Kaldenkirchen-Domodossola route.
• Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuisport, Europe's largest hinterland hub, invested in CargoBeamer and entered a partnership for shifting semi-trailer transport to rail. Duisport brings strategic importance as a major trimodal logistics hub.
• JSC Russian RailwaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSC Russian Railways and CargoBeamer AG cooperate on innovation in rail cargo to foster growth of rail freight in the Russian Federation and along transit routes between Asia and Europe.
• LG Cargo (Lithuanian Railways)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLG Cargo joined forces with PKP Cargo and CargoBeamer to pilot a semi-trailers train, demonstrating the technology's applicability in the Baltic and Central European rail freight markets.
• PKP CargominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPKP Cargo partnered with LG Cargo and CargoBeamer to pilot semi-trailers train services, exploring CargoBeamer technology deployment in Poland.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kombiverkehr: Frankfurt-headquartered intermodal operator running road-rail combined transport across Europe. Directly comparable to CargoBeamer as a competing intermodal service provider, though Kombiverkehr primarily uses craneable loading rather than CargoBeamer's horizontal non-craneable system.
• HUPAC: Swiss intermodal operator offering transalpine rail services between northern Europe and Italy. Operates comparable fixed-timetable intermodal routes, including transalpine corridors where CargoBeamer's Kaldenkirchen–Domodossola competes directly.
• TX Logistik: Trostberg-headquartered European intermodal rail operator owned by the Italian FS Group. Competes with CargoBeamer in pan-European intermodal freight, particularly on transalpine and north-south corridors.

Broad incumbents

• Lineas: Belgium's largest private rail freight operator. Comparable as a European intermodal and rail freight incumbent; serves as both a peer and a traction partner for CargoBeamer's Calais–Perpignan route.
• SBB Cargo International: Swiss rail freight subsidiary providing traction services across Europe, including on CargoBeamer's Stuttgart–Milan route. Comparable as a broad incumbent in European intermodal and freight rail.
• DB Cargo (Deutsche Bahn): Europe's largest rail freight operator and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. The dominant incumbent in European freight rail against which CargoBeamer competes for modal shift and intermodal volumes.
• Rail Cargo Group (ÖBB): Austrian federal railways' freight division. Comparable as a broad European rail freight incumbent with transalpine and pan-European intermodal services overlapping CargoBeamer's geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• boxXpress.de: Hamburg-based intermodal rail operator offering container and trailer services on German and European corridors. A smaller, niche intermodal peer competing in overlapping geographies.
• ERS (European Rail Shuttle): Rotterdam-based intermodal operator focused on maritime hinterland connections and continental rail shuttles. Comparable as an emerging niche intermodal peer with overlapping European corridors.

Others

• Getlink (Eurotunnel): Operator of the Channel Tunnel and Eurotunnel Le Shuttle freight services. Adjacent comparable as CargoBeamer's Calais terminal connects via Getlink's Ashford terminal for UK–continental flows, but Getlink competes primarily as a roll-on/roll-off channel crossing rather than intermodal rail.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZl6MKnMdjO2xmh31kEzhrg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cargobeamer-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/cargo.beamer

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CargoBeamer