What Kombiverkehr does

Kombiverkehr is a Frankfurt-based private logistics service provider that has organized and marketed a Europe-wide terminal-to-terminal network for rail-road combined (intermodal) freight transport since 1969. The company serves freight forwarders, transport and logistics companies, and industrial shippers seeking to shift long-haul road freight onto rail, operating as a neutral coordinator rather than an asset-owning railway. It is structured as a German limited partnership (Kombiverkehr Deutsche Gesellschaft für kombinierten Güterverkehr mbH & Co. KG) with a wholly-owned subsidiary, KombiConsult GmbH, which provides intermodal training through the Kombi-Insider seminar program. The network spans three sub-networks (Deutschland, Europa, and Maritime) covering 110+ terminals across 25 countries, with 170+ daily train departures and 15,000 gateway connections.

The core product is the network itself, supported by a digital stack: the meinKOMBIVERKEHR customer portal provides timetable information, booking, tracking, and order management; the Datendrehscheibe KV 4.0 acts as a data hub for intermodal data exchange; CESAR-NEXT supports terminal and crane management; Transportmonitoring provides shipment visibility; and the ILU Code System (managed via UIRR partnership) standardizes load unit identification. Revenue is generated through transaction-based fees on rail transport services and terminal handling, with quote-based pricing offered through two payment structures: a pay-as-you-go deposit account and a kombiPAY monthly invoicing model for permanent customers. Distribution is direct via regional sales managers covering Germany and all major European sub-regions, supplemented by trade shows, seminars, and an owned media portal.

The company employs approximately 51–150 staff and pursues a sales-led go-to-market with event-driven market development. Recent operational signals include 2025 revenue and volume declines attributed to extensive German rail network construction work (Generalsanierung), public policy advocacy (including a Lobbyregister entry and a public petition), a 2026 leadership transition with Dirk Steffes joining as Managing Director alongside Heiko Krebs, and a partnership with emissions platform shipzero to provide CO2 documentation for customers. Innovation projects (KIBA, EDICT, TRANS4M-R, KV-HUB, EcoDuo) indicate ongoing investment in digitalization and low-emission traction.

Name

Kombiverkehr

Legal name

Kombiverkehr Deutsche Gesellschaft für kombinierten Güterverkehr mbH & Co. KG

Website

https://kombiverkehr.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Kombiverkehr is a Frankfurt-based private intermodal logistics operator organizing a Europe-wide rail-road freight network connecting 110+ terminals across 25 countries, serving freight forwarders, transport companies, and industrial shippers seeking sustainable long-haul transport.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intermodal Rail Freight Transport

NAICS

Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013)

akta.pro primary industry

Intermodal Rail Forwarding (Rail-Truck / Rail-Port Drayage) (TLACADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Intermodal Terminal Operations (Rail Ramps/Port Intermodal Yards) (TLADAFAE), Intermodal Terminal Operations (Rail–Truck) (TLAJAFAA)

Keywords

• Intermodal rail freight
• Combined road-rail transport
• Terminal-to-terminal services
• Rail freight logistics
• European intermodal network

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Rail Transport Services: Core revenue from providing terminal-to-terminal intermodal rail transport services for freight forwarders and transport companies. Operates 170+ daily train departures across Germany and Europe.
2. Terminal Operations: Gateway connections and terminal handling services connecting 110+ terminals across 25 countries in 3 networks.
3. Logistics Consulting: Customized logistics concepts and intermodal affinity analysis for industrial companies considering rail transport adoption.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kombiverkehr develops, organizes, and markets a Europe-wide intermodal rail-road combined transport network providing terminal-to-terminal freight transport services. The company operates 170+ daily train departures connecting 110+ terminals across 25 countries via three networks (Germany, Europe, Maritime), with 15,000 gateway connections, supported by digital booking, tracking, and data exchange systems including the meinKOMBIVERKEHR customer portal and Datendrehscheibe KV 4.0 data hub.

Product overview

Kombiverkehr operates as a network provider for combined (intermodal) road-rail freight transport across Germany and Europe. The offering is a unified intermodal transport platform centered on rail freight with road feedering. The core products include national (Deutschland) and international (Europa) transport networks, maritime transport, and Company Trains for dedicated solutions. The digital portfolio centers on the meinKOMBIVERKEHR customer portal (for timetable, booking, tracking, and order management), the Datendrehscheibe KV 4.0 data hub for digital network integration, and supporting IT tools: CESAR-NEXT for terminal/crane management, Transportmonitoring, Ladeeinheitenmanagement (load unit management), Gefahrgut & Abfall (hazardous goods), and Zoll (customs). Additional services include KombiConsult's Seminar Kombi-Insider, individual Logistikkonzepte, and payment methods (deposit account and kombiPAY). The network comprises over 110 terminals, 170 daily train departures, 15,000 gateway connections, and 25 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Deutschland Intermodal Network
• Europa Intermodal Network
• Maritime Verkehre (Maritime Transport)
• Company Trains
• meinKOMBIVERKEHR Customer Portal
• Datendrehscheibe KV 4.0
• CESAR-NEXT
• Transportmonitoring
• Gefahrgut & Abfall (Hazardous Goods & Waste Transport)
• Zoll (Customs Handling)
• Logistikkonzepte (Logistics Concepts)
• Seminar Kombi-Insider

Quantifiable outcome

• Significantly fewer emissions compared to pure road transport through rail-based intermodal shipping
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• shipzerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with branchenführende Emissionsmanagementplattform (leading emissions management platform) shipzero enables customers to precisely document CO2 emissions. Addresses customer demand for emission transparency, creating competitive advantage for rail transport.
• KombiConsult GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary offering Kombi-Insider seminar for intermodal transport education. Kombiverkehr supports participation with EUR 250 voucher per participant. Provides market development through training beginners and advanced users.
• UIRR (International Union of Road-Rail Combined Transport Companies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUIRR assigns and manages ILU codes for intermodal loading units. Kombiverkehr uses UIRR standards for loading unit identification and codification. Supports EN 13044 standard implementation.
• DB Cargo AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor German rail freight operator. Image contributor to Kombiverkehr materials. Key traction provider for intermodal train services.
• Lokomotion Gesellschaft für Schienentraktion mbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationRail traction services provider. Image contributor. Offers locomotive services for freight train operations in Kombiverkehr network.
• DPD Deutschland GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParcel delivery company. Image contributor. Potential customer using intermodal transport for sustainable logistics.
• KombiRail Europe B.V.coreTechnology or IntegrationEuropean rail operator. Image contributor. Strategic partner for cross-border intermodal services.
• Paneuropa Transport GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransport company. Image contributor. Customer and potential partner for intermodal solutions.
• SEEHAFEN KIEL GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationPort operator in Kiel. Image contributor. Maritime connection partner for Baltic Sea intermodal routes.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TX Logistik: European rail logistics provider (part of FS Italiane / Mercitalia) operating block trains and intermodal services across the Alpine and North Sea corridors. Closely comparable network model and customer base (freight forwarders, industrial shippers).
• Hupac: Swiss-based intermodal operator running road-rail combined transport across Europe with terminal networks and roughly 200+ daily train connections. Directly comparable to Kombiverkehr as a neutral intermodal forwarder covering Germany and neighboring markets.
• CFL multimodal: Luxembourg-based intermodal operator combining rail, road, and inland waterway services across Europe with terminal operations. Operates a similar terminal-to-terminal model in adjacent geographies with overlapping clients.
• ERS Railways: Independent European intermodal operator running block trains and combined transport services in the Benelux, Germany, and Italy corridors. Comparable asset-light operator model with direct competition for forwarder customers.
• Novatrans (Greenmodal Hub): French intermodal operator (formerly Novatrans, integrated into Greenmodal Hub) providing combined road-rail services across France and into neighboring Benelux/Germany markets, overlapping with Kombiverkehr's Western Europe and Benelux lanes.

Regional players

• P&O Ferrymasters: Multi-modal provider integrating rail, road, and short-sea services across Europe with a strong UK/Ireland focus. Comparable to Kombiverkehr's Maritime network offering and freight-forwarder customer segments.
• Contargo: Inland waterway and intermodal operator focused on Rhine and Benelux corridor logistics. Comparable multi-modal, terminal-operating profile, but primarily competes on water-led corridors rather than rail-led networks.

Broad incumbents

• DB Cargo: Europe's largest rail freight operator and parent of the German traction network. While it is also a partner of Kombiverkehr, it competes for the same intermodal volumes and offers its own combined transport products at much larger scale.
• Samskip: European multimodal logistics provider combining rail, road, short-sea, and inland waterway services. Comparable intermodal/multi-modal capability and freight-forwarder customer base, but operates at a larger scale with broader asset ownership.

Others

• Eurogate: Container terminal operator handling rail-connected maritime traffic, often co-located with intermodal terminals. Adjacent in the intermodal value chain as a terminal/port service provider that complements or competes with Kombiverkehr's maritime corridor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kombiverkehr-gmbh-co-kg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Kombiverkehr