What TFG Transfracht does

TFG Transfracht GmbH, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, is a maritime, port-neutral intermodal logistics operator that organizes combined container transport between six European seaports (Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, Koper, Antwerp, Rotterdam) and 25 inland terminals across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of DB Cargo AG (Deutsche Bahn), operates the AlbatrosExpress rail network — the densest in European seaport-hinterland transport with 260+ weekly train departures and 15,000+ annual connections — and moves approximately 1 million TEU per year, including China Gateway flows to over 20 Chinese terminals.

The product portfolio centers on seven AlbatrosExpress service tiers (Basic, Prime, Slot, Block Train, Flex Train, box2rail for small-quantity shippers, and Stand-by for empty containers) plus the TFGeco train and TFGeco truck CO2e-neutral variants, supported by an E-Services self-service booking portal, an API Order Management interface for real-time ERP/TMS integration, a paperless Driver App with integrated customs (T1-NCTS), and supplementary depot, temporary custody, dangerous goods, and empty container positioning services. TFGreen functions as the umbrella sustainability brand, with rail-based transport delivering roughly 80% lower CO2e emissions versus road and replacing approximately 600,000 truck journeys annually.

Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-based container transport fees (rail main leg plus pre/on-carriage trucking) and professional services revenue from supplementary logistics offerings; pricing is quote-based across product tiers rather than publicly disclosed. Go-to-market combines direct regional sales managers across German hubs, a centralized Inside Sales team, an E-Services self-serve channel, and channel partnerships with major European ports, terminal operators (HHLA, Eurogate, DUSS, bayernhafen), DB Intermodal Services, and the parent DB Cargo network. The company is privately held with no external funding and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

TFG Transfracht

Legal name

TFG Transfracht GmbH

Website

https://transfracht.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

TFG Transfracht is a German intermodal logistics operator that runs the AlbatrosExpress rail network linking six European seaports to 25 inland terminals across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, serving shipping lines, freight forwarders, and industrial manufacturers with rail-based container transport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intermodal Container Transport / Rail Freight Logistics

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

Intermodal Drayage TL Carriers (Port/Rail Ramp Drayage) (TLADADAF)

Keywords

• Intermodal container transport
• Rail freight logistics
• Port-to-door logistics
• Combined transport services
• Seaport hinterland transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Mainz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices27 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Container Transport Services: Core revenue from intermodal container transport services combining rail (main leg) and truck (pre/post carriage). Services include port-to-door and port-to-terminal solutions for containerized cargo.
2. Supplementary Logistics Services: Additional services including trucking (first/last mile), container positioning, dangerous goods/waste transport, customs clearance, depot services (storage, repair, cleaning), and temporary custody services.
3. TFGeco Train (CO2e-neutral Rail Transport): Premium rail transport service using renewable energy with TÜV certification, offering CO2e-neutral transport and certificates for saved emissions.
4. TFGeco Truck (CO2e-neutral Road Transport): Road transport with CO2e compensation through atmosfair climate protection certificates, complementing rail services for last-mile delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TFG Transfracht is a maritime, port-neutral intermodal combined transport operator that organizes container logistics between European seaports and inland economic centers. Its core offering is the AlbatrosExpress rail network - the densest in European seaport-hinterland transport - connecting 6 ports, 4 countries, and 25 terminals with 260+ weekly departures and over 15,000 annual connections. Services combine rail (main leg) with truck pre-/on-carriage, complemented by CO2e-neutral eco options (TFGeco train/truck), supplementary services like depot, customs, dangerous goods handling, empty container positioning, and digital tools (API Order Management, E-Services portal, Driver App).

Product overview

TFG Transfracht operates as a maritime, port-neutral operator specializing in intermodal combined transport logistics, connecting the system strengths of rail with the flexibility of trucks. The core offering is the AlbatrosExpress network—the densest rail network in European seaport-hinterland transport—offering container transport across six ports and four countries via 25 terminals with over 15,000 annual connections. The product portfolio comprises seven AlbatrosExpress transport products (Basic, Prime, Slot, Block Train, Flex Train, box2rail, and Stand-by) for flexible container and train services, supplemented by TFGeco train and TFGeco truck for CO2e-neutral transport solutions. Digital capabilities include API Order Management for system integration, an E-Services portal for online bookings, and a Driver App for paperless operations with integrated customs processing. Additional services cover dangerous goods/waste transport, customs clearance, temporary custody, depot services, and empty container positioning. TFGreen serves as the overarching sustainability brand encompassing all environmental initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AlbatrosExpress: The densest rail network in European seaport-hinterland transport, offering over 260 weekly departures connecting 6 ports across 4 countries with 25 terminals and over 15,000 connections annually.
• TFGreen
• TFGeco train
• TFGeco truck
• box2rail

Products and services

• AlbatrosExpress Network The densest rail network in European seaport-hinterland transport, connecting 6 ports (Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, Koper, Antwerp, Rotterdam) with 4 countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy) via 25 terminals, offering over 15,000 connections annually and 260+ weekly departures. Targets maritime shipping lines, freight forwarders, and industrial manufacturers needing intermodal container transport.
• AlbatrosExpress Basic Container transport according to a fixed schedule within the AlbatrosExpress network for customers seeking standard intermodal container transport service.
• AlbatrosExpress Prime Prioritized and assured container transport according to the current AlbatrosExpress network timetable for customers requiring higher service priority.
• AlbatrosExpress Slot Assurance of fixed transport capacities according to the current AlbatrosExpress network timetable, providing guaranteed slot allocation for customers.
• AlbatrosExpress Block Train Planned and customized whole-train transport performance independent of the current timetable of the AlbatrosExpress network, for customers with high-volume dedicated capacity needs.
• AlbatrosExpress Flex Train Short-term and customized block train transport performance on a special train basis, independent of the current timetable of the AlbatrosExpress network, for time-sensitive or ad-hoc transport needs.
• box2rail Prioritized container transport of small quantities from one container according to the current timetable. Provides rail transport booked simply, quickly and cost-transparently via the dedicated box2rail.com portal for customers with smaller shipment volumes.
• AlbatrosExpress Stand-by Transport of empty containers within 30 days according to the current timetable and availability, addressing empty container repositioning challenges.
• TFGeco train 100% CO2e-neutral rail transport using green energy, TÜV-tested and certified on electrified routes. Provides certificates for saved/compensated CO2e emissions for customers with sustainability and ESG reporting needs.
• TFGeco truck 100% CO2e-neutral road transport achieved through compensation via atmosfair climate protection certificates. Provides last-mile and pre-carriage complement to TFGeco train for full climate-neutral door-to-door container transport.
• API Order Management API-based system enabling real-time data exchange between customer systems and TFG for automated order processing and shipment tracking. Supports proactive event reaction and supply chain optimization, contactable via [email protected].
• E-Services Online portal for bookings, status messages, timetables, conditions, and price information, enabling customers to manage transport orders digitally without sales-team interaction.
• Temporary Custody Container storage service at Bamberg, Grossbeeren, Leipzig, Mannheim, Nuremberg, Passau, Regensburg, Ulm, and Basel locations for up to 90 days, with active monitoring and optional T1-NCTS customs connection.
• Depot Services Container stowage, storage, arrival/departure reporting, damage reporting, repairs, hazardous goods label application/removal, and cleaning at terminals for customers requiring container handling support beyond transport.
• Empty Container Positioning Daily transport of empty containers between all hinterland terminals in Germany and Austria, solving empty container repositioning challenges for shipping lines and freight forwarders.
• Emission Calculator (EcoTransIT World) Independent tool for worldwide transport flows that calculates life-cycle assessment of various means of transport, including energy consumption and emissions of CO2e and other air pollutants, compliant with DIN EN 14083.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% CO2e reduction compared to truck transport
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• DB Cargo AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and sole shareholder. DB Cargo AG is the leading rail freight operator in Europe. TFG operates as a 100% subsidiary, benefiting from rail network access, operational infrastructure, and strategic alignment with DB's 'Strong Rail' strategy.
• DB Intermodal ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationSister company within DB Group providing intermodal services. Partnership for seamless integration of combined transport services within the DB network.
• DB InfraGOcoreTechnology or IntegrationInfrastructure partner for rail network access and operations within the Deutsche Bahn Group.
• HHLAmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHamburg port terminal operator providing container handling services. Key partner for Hamburg port connections in the AlbatrosExpress network.
• EurogatemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContainer terminal operator with locations in Germany. Partnership for container handling and terminal access.
• Port of RotterdammajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest port in Europe and key western port connection for AlbatrosExpress West services connecting to German economic centers.
• Port of Antwerp-BrugesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor European container port providing western port access for AlbatrosExpress West connections.
• BremenportsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPort authority managing Bremen's maritime infrastructure including Bremerhaven, key port for AlbatrosExpress Germany connections.
• JadeWeserPortmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeep-water container port in Wilhelmshaven providing northern port access for AlbatrosExpress Germany.
• Luka KopermajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSlovenian port providing southern port access for AlbatrosExpress Austria connections to Central and Eastern European markets.
• atmosfaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate protection organization providing CO2e compensation certificates for TFGeco truck service. atmosfair promotes renewable energy and reduces CO2e emissions through international Kyoto Protocol-based projects.
• DUSS (Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-Straße)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTerminal operator for combined transport handling rail-road transfers in Germany.
• bayernhafenmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBavarian port operator, notably bayernhafen Passau partnership for connecting regional economy to rail and AlbatrosExpress network.
• OeBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAustrian national railway infrastructure manager for rail connections in Austria and cross-border operations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Rail Cargo Operator: Austrian open-access rail freight operator within the ÖBB group providing intermodal and combined transport services across Central Europe. Comparable to TFG on rail-based container intermodal, AlbatrosExpress-Austria overlap, and partnership-based cross-border model.
• Kombiverkehr: Frankfurt-headquartered combined transport operator coordinating intermodal rail-road container services across Germany and into neighboring countries. Closely comparable to TFG on customer base (forwarders, shipping lines), German port orientation, and combined-transport product portfolio.
• European Rail Shuttle (ERS): Dutch-based operator of container rail shuttles connecting Rotterdam and Antwerp with German inland destinations. Directly comparable to TFG on port-hinterland container rail shuttle operations, with overlapping customer base of shipping lines and forwarders.
• Samskip: Dutch multimodal logistics provider with intermodal rail, short-sea, and road services across Europe. Comparable to TFG in combining multiple transport modes and serving European seaport-hinterland container flows with sustainability-focused offerings.
• Contargo: Inland container logistics specialist (part of the Rhenus Group) operating terminals along the Rhine and in the Netherlands/Belgium with deep-sea hinterland container services. Comparable to TFG on intermodal inland container transport and terminal-based operations.
• HUPAC: Swiss-based intermodal transport operator running a pan-European network of combined road-rail container services with terminals across Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the Benelux. Most direct comparable to TFG in route structure, port-hinterland positioning, and combined-transport business model.
• Naviland Cargo: French rail freight operator specialized in combined transport and intermodal container services, part of SNCF Logistics/Heppner group. Comparable to TFG on intermodal business model and seaport-hinterland container flows, with primary French regional orientation.

Others

• DUSS (Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-Straße): Sister company within the DB Group operating combined-transport terminals across Germany for rail-road transshipment. An ecosystem participant/related party rather than direct competitor; shares parent group with TFG and provides shared terminal infrastructure.

Broad incumbents

• Eurogate: Container terminal operator with multiple German and European ports (Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven, Lisbon, etc.) and intermodal services. Overlaps with TFG as a port partner and partial competitor for inland container flows; broader scope as a terminal operator.
• HHLA (Hamburger Hafen und Logistik): Hamburg port operator and integrated logistics group providing container handling, intermodal transport (HHLA Intermodal), and consulting. Comparable to TFG as a port-adjacent integrated intermodal provider, but with a wider portfolio and primary focus on terminal operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tfgtransfracht
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tfg-transfracht
• Facebookfacebook.com/transfracht

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 TFG Transfracht