DB Schenker

Name

DB Schenker

Legal name

Schenker AG

Website

https://dbschenker.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1872

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Services

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Support Activities for Transportation (488), General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance (48412), Deep Sea Freight Transportation (483111), Warehousing and Storage (493)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Deep Sea Foreign Transportation Of Freight (4412), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)

akta.pro primary industry

Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Air Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAE), Cross-Border Freight Brokerage (USMCA/EU, etc.) (TLADAMAN), Digital Customs Connectivity & Single Window Integration Hubs (TLAEAOAK), International Fulfillment, Forwarding & Consolidation Services (CRAFAJAE)

Keywords

• Global freight forwarding
• Supply chain management
• Contract logistics services
• Warehousing distribution
• Multimodal transport solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Air Freight Forwarding: International and domestic air freight services including standard, express, and charter options. Revenue generated through space procurement from airlines and markup to customers, with additional revenue from ancillary services such as customs clearance and door-to-door delivery.
2. Ocean Freight Forwarding: Full container load (FCL) and less-than-container load (LCL) ocean freight services across 40,000+ global LCL routes. Revenue based on container space procurement and volume-based pricing with customers.
3. Land Transport: Road and rail freight services including system/groupage freight, full truckload, and intermodal solutions across Europe and beyond.
4. Contract Logistics: Warehousing, fulfillment, and value-added logistics services including omnichannel e-commerce fulfillment, aftermarket logistics, production logistics, and network design services.
5. 4PL/Lead Logistics: Fourth-party logistics services providing single-point-of-contact supply chain management, control tower operations, and end-to-end logistics orchestration.
6. Customs Services: Customs brokerage and trade compliance services for large enterprises and SMB customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DB Schenker provides integrated global logistics services encompassing air freight, ocean freight, land transport, intermodal solutions, contract logistics (warehousing, fulfillment, e-commerce), 4PL supply chain orchestration, customs brokerage, and industry-specific logistics solutions across 2,100+ locations in approximately 130 countries. The company serves enterprise customers with multimodal transport, digital visibility platforms, and specialized industry solutions for automotive, healthcare, e-commerce, aerospace, and humanitarian aid logistics.

Product overview

DB Schenker is a global logistics provider offering a comprehensive suite of transport and logistics services across air freight, ocean freight, land transport, and contract logistics. The company operates a platform-plus-services architecture consisting of core freight forwarding services (Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Land Transport, Intermodal Solutions, Project Logistics), supplemented by contract logistics offerings (Fulfillment Plus, Omnichannel/E-Commerce, Circular Economy Logistics, Aftermarket, Production and Manufacturing), and digital services including Connect2Track for real-time visibility, DSV connect e-services portal, e-Shipping for electronic transactions, and the 4PL Control Tower for end-to-end supply chain management. Specialized industry solutions cover Healthcare (life+), Aid and Relief, Automobility+, Battery, Electronics, Fashion and Retail, and more. The portfolio is supported by technology partnerships including Softeon WMS Cloud, Infor systems, and the proprietary Tango transport management system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Land Transport Road and rail freight services covering an extensive European network with modern fleet and international expert teams for shipments ranging from single parcels to full truck loads.
• Air Freight

Quantifiable outcome

• Intermodal sea/air shipments reduce costs by more than 30% versus pure air freight while maintaining faster transit than ocean-only
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered pilot, core and major.

• Gideon BrotherspilotTechnology or Integration · 2 December 2025Pilot project at Leipzig logistics center testing autonomous pallet-carrying robots equipped with advanced visual perception technology. Robots successfully handle localization and obstacle avoidance. Pilot expanded with additional points of operation to improve efficiency, ergonomics, and workforce supply.
• DSVcoreOthers · 30 April 2025DSV acquired DB Schenker from Deutsche Bahn for approximately EUR 14.3 billion, creating one of the world's largest logistics networks. Integration ongoing with full completion expected by end of 2026. Combined entity operates across 90+ countries with 150,000+ employees.
• Trailer DynamicsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for eTrailer technology - electrified trailer systems adding batteries and motors to trailers rather than replacing entire tractors. Trailer Dynamics has secured pre-orders for 4,500 eTrailers from DB Schenker and DSV through partnership with trailer manufacturer KRONE, offering fuel savings of 40-70%.
• cargo.onemajorTechnology or Integration · 24 August 2024API connection enabling DB Schenker to access real-time airline capacity and rate data from cargo.one platform. Connection enhances ad-hoc shipment planning by enabling better identification of suitable capacities and fitting rates. Direct connections established with nine carriers in Europe, North and South America, Middle East, and Asia.
• InforcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 August 202415-year partnership implementing Infor WMS, CloudSuite Industrial, and Nexus platform solutions. Technology deployment has yielded measurable improvements including up to 100% increase in warehouse productivity and 40% reduction in customer lead times at facilities such as the Red Lion warehouse in Singapore. DB Schenker was first major logistics provider to invest in Infor Nexus Control Center for predictive ETA notifications.
• BitergomajorOthers · 31 May 2022Acquisition of Bitergo, a logistics software provider based in Dortmund, Germany, to enhance digital and cloud-based logistics solutions. Integration aims to expand DB Schenker's offerings and create synergies by combining Bitergo's software with the global network. Bitergo maintained as independent entity.
• SofteonmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Implemented Softeon's WMS Cloud solution to accelerate time-to-market for warehouse management services across global network spanning 2,000+ locations in 130 countries. Solution deployed on DB Schenker's private cloud infrastructure, providing flexible template-driven configuration for rapid 3PL customer onboarding.
• Singapore Red Lion FacilitymajorOthers · 1 January 2022USD 148 million investment in Red Lion 2 hub facility, a major cold chain and logistics facility in Singapore supporting Asia-Pacific operations.
• EinridecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2019World's first cab-less, autonomous, fully electric truck commercial operation on public road. Swedish Transport Agency approved vehicle operation in March 2019. Pilot operates between warehouse and terminal in Jönköping, Sweden. Technology potential to reduce CO2e emissions from road freight transport by up to 90%.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• DHL Global Forwarding: DHL Global Forwarding is Deutsche Post DHL's freight forwarding division, offering air, ocean, road freight and customs services globally. It is the largest direct competitor to DB Schenker in air and ocean freight forwarding, with comparable multimodal capabilities and enterprise customer base.
• Sinotrans: Sinotrans is China's largest freight forwarding and logistics company, providing international freight forwarding, contract logistics, and supply chain services. It is a comparable peer to DB Schenker in cross-border freight forwarding, particularly on Asia-Europe and intra-Asia trade lanes.
• Kerry Logistics Network: Kerry Logistics is a Hong Kong-headquartered global logistics provider offering freight forwarding, warehousing, and integrated logistics. It is a direct competitor to DB Schenker in Asia-Pacific forwarding and contract logistics, with overlap in consumer, electronics, and pharmaceutical verticals.
• Nippon Express: Nippon Express is a Japanese global logistics provider offering air, ocean, and land forwarding along with warehousing and moving services. It is a direct peer of DB Schenker in multimodal freight forwarding and contract logistics, with significant overlap in automotive and electronics verticals.
• DSV A/S: DSV is a Danish global transport and logistics company and the parent of DB Schenker since April 2025. Pre-acquisition, DSV was a direct competitor in air, sea, and road freight forwarding with a similar focus on acquisition-led growth and IT-driven efficiency. Now the combined entity directly overlaps the legacy Schenker business.
• Expeditors International: Expeditors is a US-headquartered global logistics company offering airfreight, ocean freight, and customs brokerage services. It is a direct competitor to DB Schenker in international freight forwarding, particularly serving North American enterprise exporters and importers.
• CEVA Logistics: CEVA Logistics is a French-headquartered global third-party logistics provider owned by CMA CGM, offering freight forwarding, contract logistics, and supply chain management. It competes directly with DB Schenker across contract logistics, air/ocean forwarding, and automotive vertical solutions.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Kuehne+Nagel is a Swiss-headquartered global freight forwarder offering air, ocean, road, and contract logistics services, directly comparable to DB Schenker across all major service lines and end markets. It is one of the three largest global forwarders alongside DSV/Schenker and DHL.

Emerging players

• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: Hellmann is a German family-owned global logistics provider offering air, sea, road freight, and contract logistics. It is a comparable peer to DB Schenker in European land transport and global air/ocean forwarding, though smaller in scale and more focused on mid-market customers.

Broad incumbents

• Maersk Logistics & Services: A.P. Moller-Maersk is a global integrator of container logistics, offering ocean shipping, landside logistics, and end-to-end supply chain management. While primarily an ocean carrier, its expanding logistics and customs services increasingly compete with DB Schenker's forwarding and contract logistics business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dbschenker
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DSV_global
• Facebookfacebook.com/dsv.global
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dbschenker
• Instagraminstagram.com/dbschenker_official

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A3 records

Investments7 records

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

Frequently asked questions about DB Schenker