What CargoLine does

CargoLine GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German logistics cooperation founded in 1993 and headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. It operates as a federated network of approximately 53 medium-sized German transport and logistics service providers, supplemented by international partners across Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, France) and intercontinental seafreight routes via Hamburg, Bremen, and Rotterdam. The company delivers system-controlled less-than-truckload (LTL) general cargo transport, contract logistics, hazardous goods handling across 12 ADR classes, temperature-controlled transport, seafreight, and procurement/distribution services to industrial and commercial customers in automotive, chemicals, e-commerce, healthcare, food, aerospace, and engineering sectors.

The company's underlying technology stack consists of three core digital assets: (1) Cargoboard, a self-service online platform that calculates real-time transport prices and allows direct forwarding order placement without registration; (2) Cepra, a customer and partner portal providing real-time shipment tracking with digital proof of delivery, now available as a mobile app for iOS and Android with package measurement and delivery-permission features; and (3) Cargo Digital World (CDW), a wholly-owned startup incubator for logistics innovation. The company holds certifications in DIN EN ISO 9001, DIN EN ISO 14001, DIN EN 14064 (network CO2 footprint), DIN EN 16258 (per-shipment CO2 footprint), HACCP (food logistics), and aligns with ISO 27001 information security standards.

CargoLine's revenue mechanics rest on a dual model: transaction-based fees from system-controlled LTL transport (NightLine family for domestic 24-48h delivery, NightLineEurope for cross-border premium services, SeaLine for seafreight) and managed-service contracts for tailored contract logistics. Distribution combines a franchise/licensed-operator model for enterprise customers requiring complex logistics with a self-serve digital channel for occasional commercial shippers. In FY2024, the network generated €1.59 billion in revenue across 12.06 million shipments with 7,320 employees. The central hub in Niederaula serves as the consolidation point connecting German partners to international flows daily.

Name

CargoLine

Legal name

CargoLine GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://cargoline.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CargoLine is a German logistics cooperation founded in 1993, operating a federated network of 53 mid-sized transport partners to deliver system-controlled LTL general cargo, contract logistics, hazardous goods handling, and seafreight services to industrial and commercial customers across Germany and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight transport and contract logistics

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (484230)

SIC

Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF) (TLACABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Perishables & Fresh Produce Forwarding (Food/Seafood/Floral) (TLACAJAA)

Keywords

• Less-than-truckload shipping
• Contract logistics services
• General cargo transport
• Sea freight forwarding
• Parcel delivery network

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. System-Controlled Transport Services: Core revenue from network-based less-than-truckload (LTL) transport services for general cargo, including premium delivery options (NightLine, NightLineEurope). Operates through a franchise/network model with partner companies across Germany and Europe.
2. Contract Logistics: Customized logistics solutions including warehousing, procurement and distribution logistics, hazardous goods storage, and value-added services. Revenue from long-term contracts with industrial customers.
3. Sea Freight: International container and sea freight services for intercontinental shipments through Hamburg, Bremen, and Rotterdam ports.
4. Online Platform Services: Digital booking and price calculation through Cargoboard platform. Self-service model for occasional commercial shippers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CargoLine sells general cargo (Stückgut/less-than-truckload) transport and distribution services for commercial shippers, executed through a network of 53 medium-sized German partner companies and additional international partners. Its offer includes premium domestic and European parcel delivery (NightLine family), temperature-controlled transport, B2C last-mile delivery, contract logistics (warehousing, procurement, distribution, hazardous-goods storage), sea freight, and dangerous goods handling in classes 1.4, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. Two proprietary digital platforms — Cargoboard for online booking and Cepra for real-time shipment tracking — support both occasional shippers and large industrial customers.

Product overview

CargoLine is a cooperation for intercontinental parcel transport comprising 53 mid-sized transport and logistics service providers forming a nationwide German network supplemented by international partners. The offering is a portfolio of system-controlled transport services combined with digital platforms. The core digital platforms are Cargoboard (online booking and pricing platform) and Cepra (web and mobile shipment tracking portal). Transport services include NightLine premium domestic delivery (NightLine, NightLine NextDay, NightLineFix, NightLinePlus) and NightLineEurope premium international delivery (NightLineEurope Priority, NextDay, Fix, Receipt), complemented by B2CLine (B2C delivery), ThermoLine (temperature-controlled), ServiceLine (delivery with installation), OrderLine (procurement logistics), and SeaLine (seafreight). Sustainable transport options include NightLineEco (flexible date routing) and NightLineBalance (CO2 compensation). Contract logistics services cover multiple industry verticals. The network also includes the startup incubator Cargo Digital World (CDW) and three logistics platform models.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cargoboard: Online platform for instant transport cost calculation and direct booking of forwarding orders without registration.
• Cepra
• Cargo Digital World (CDW)
• NightLine
• NightLineEurope
• Sealine

Products and services

• Cargoboard online booking platform Web-based platform that provides real-time transport cost calculation for general cargo shipments, lets commercial shippers select add-on services (insurance, delivery notification), and places forwarding orders without requiring registration; orders are executed by the CargoLine network.
• Cepra shipment tracking portal (web and mobile) Customer-and-partner portal that provides real-time shipment tracking for general cargo shipments moving through the CargoLine network and a digital delivery receipt (proof of delivery) via both web and a mobile app for Android and iOS.
• NightLine domestic premium general cargo delivery Premium domestic general cargo (Stückgut) delivery within Germany with a standard transit time of 24 to 48 hours, offered in variants for next-day, day-specific with time-slot, and flexible-date delivery to commercial shippers and B2C customers.
• NightLineEurope premium European general cargo delivery Premium cross-border general cargo delivery across Europe covering European destinations, with variants for priority handling, 24-hour delivery, day-specific scheduling, and delivery-note proof-of-delivery service for commercial shippers.
• B2CLine B2C parcel delivery (domestic and Europe) Business-to-consumer parcel delivery service for shipments to end customers, including time-window and notification options; B2CLine Europe provides cross-border B2C shipment notification for European deliveries.
• ThermoLine temperature-controlled transport Temperature-controlled transport service for goods requiring specific temperature conditions, designed for sensitive shipments such as food (HACCP-compliant) and pharmaceuticals.
• ServiceLine delivery with installation Delivery service that includes installation and unpacking at the end customer's premises, addressing shipments that require value-added handling beyond standard drop-off.
• OrderLine procurement logistics Procurement logistics service for ordering and managing shipments across Europe, supporting inbound supply-chain coordination and supplier-management processes for industrial customers.
• NightLineEco / NightLineBalance sustainable transport Sustainable transport offering combining an eco-friendly routing option that reduces CO2 emissions through flexible delivery dates (NightLineEco) and a CO2-compensated transport option that funds environmental projects (NightLineBalance).
• SeaLine sea freight Sea freight service for intercontinental general cargo shipments to and from other continents, routed via the ports of Hamburg, Bremen, or Rotterdam.
• Contract Logistics (industry-specific) Customized long-term contract logistics services covering warehousing, procurement and distribution logistics, hazardous-goods storage, container management, C-parts logistics, display construction, supplier management, assembly work, quality control, production supply and disposal, product finishing, and returns management — tailored for Automotive, Chemicals, E-Commerce, Consumer Goods, Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals, Food, Aerospace, Engineering, and Paper industry customers.
• Dangerous Goods Handling Specialized storage and transport handling for dangerous goods across hazard classes 1.4, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, supporting industrial shippers with regulatory-compliant hazardous materials logistics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12.06 million shipments handled in 2024
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Vos LogisticscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2026Vos Logistics joined as international partner effective September 1, 2026, representing the Netherlands in the CargoLine network. With 35 own branches, the company provides comprehensive logistics services including warehousing and supply chain solutions across Europe. They operate 1,000 vehicles, 3,700 loading units, and 275,000 m² warehouse space.
• Van der Heijden B.V.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2026Dutch logistics company Van der Heijden became new CargoLine partner for parts of the Netherlands and Belgium starting March 1, 2026, expanding network coverage in the Benelux region.
• Rottbeck SpeditioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 February 2026Rottbeck from Bottrop became new CargoLine franchise partner, strengthening presence in the Ruhr area of Germany.
• Gebrüder Weiss GmbH (Aldingen)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2025Gebrüder Weiss became new CargoLine franchise partner for the Aldingen region starting October 1, 2025, providing general cargo transport services under the CargoLine brand.
• DGS TransportscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017DGS Transports has been exclusive CargoLine partner for northern France since 2017. Based in greater Paris area, the company operates a modern logistics platform with 6,000 m² space and 92 loading docks. Additional branches in Bordeaux, Salies-de-Béarn, and Saint Priest. Since 2013, DGS has been expanding international activities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics: German-headquartered global forwarder offering road, air, sea, and contract logistics with strong European LTL/general cargo roots. Comparable mid-market forwarder profile with shared heritage of German mid-sized freight networks.
• Logwin: European logistics provider focused on contract logistics, seafreight forwarding, and air freight — overlapping with CargoLine's contract logistics and SeaLine offerings, and similar mid-market positioning.
• Rhenus Logistics: German mid-sized logistics group offering road freight, seafreight, contract logistics, and warehouse solutions across Europe and globally. Highly comparable business model — multi-mode, multi-vertical, contract-logistics heavy — and a named CargoLine international partner.
• Gebrüder Weiss: Family-owned Austrian/German mid-market forwarder with road, air, and seafreight plus contract logistics. Recently joined CargoLine's franchise network (Aldingen), making it both a partner and a directly comparable size/segment competitor.
• DACHSER: German-headquartered road LTL and logistics network with deep German and European general cargo capability plus global contract logistics. Closest direct comparable to CargoLine on LTL Stückgut network structure, though materially larger in scale.
• Streck Transport: German Stückgut cooperation (general cargo cooperative) with a similar franchise/partner network model to CargoLine. Direct cooperative-structure comparator for LTL general cargo in Germany.

Broad incumbents

• DHL Freight (Deutsche Post DHL Group): Europe's largest road freight network and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, with deep LTL/FTL capability across Germany and Europe. Sets the competitive benchmark for road freight density, technology, and enterprise contracting in CargoLine's core market.
• GLS (General Logistics Systems): European parcel and freight services network operating across Europe with strong B2B parcel overlap with CargoLine's NightLine/B2CLine products. Significantly larger scale and broader geographic coverage.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Global freight forwarder and contract logistics provider with major European road, sea, and air presence. A benchmark incumbent in contract logistics verticals (aerospace, pharma, automotive) where CargoLine is also positioned.
• DSV (post-Schenker): Global freight forwarder post-DB Schenker acquisition with deep road, air, ocean, and contract logistics capability across Europe. A much larger, capital-rich incumbent shaping competitive pricing and capacity in the same lanes CargoLine serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CargoLine-197163173705879
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cargoline-gmbh

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 CargoLine