DB Cargo
DB Cargo AG is Europe's largest rail freight operator and a Deutsche Bahn subsidiary, transporting goods across 14+ countries using ~2,510 locomotives and ~80,000 wagons. It serves enterprise customers in automotive, chemicals, steel, and intermodal logistics through dedicated industry teams and its link2rail digital platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersMainz, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DB Cargo does
DB Cargo AG is Europe's largest rail freight operator and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG, headquartered in Mainz, Germany. The company operates approximately 2,510 locomotives and roughly 80,000 freight wagons across more than 14 European countries (Germany, Italy, the UK, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Hungary, France, Austria, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovenia, Slovakia and Denmark) with around 29,483 employees. Its service portfolio spans single wagonload transport, block train (Ganzzug) services, and combined transport for both maritime and continental flows, organized into six independent business units — Steel, Liquids & Bulk, Automotive, Full Load Solutions, Combined Transport Continental, and Combined Transport Maritime.
The core transport offering is built on diesel and electric locomotive infrastructure, with a growing fleet of hybrid locomotives (up to 250 ordered from Vossloh). The commercial offering is layered with Climate+ (a verified CO2e-neutral transport product combining renewable power, HVO biofuel and Gold Standard offsets), the link2rail digital platform (web/mobile/API with Network, Planner, Wagon Catalogue, Order, Empty Wagon, and Track&Trace services), and proprietary technologies including LEADER driver assistance (13% energy savings), ECCI car-loading planning tool (400+ vehicle model database), ASaG AI-based wagon inspection, ETA arrival prediction, automatic train operation pilots, and a fully automated shunting locomotive (VAL).
Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-fee rail freight transport (per load, distance and type), supplemented by managed door-to-door intermodal services, ECM-certified maintenance and technical services, professional rail-qualification training, and subscription-style climate-neutral Climate+ services. The customer base is exclusively enterprise, spanning automotive OEMs and tier suppliers, chemicals (BASF, Covestro), steel, mineral oil, bulk goods, energy, wood, paper, consumer goods, and intermodal/maritime operators, with named partnerships including BASF (~270,000 tonnes/year Ludwigshafen–Schwarzheide shuttle), Coca-Cola, Network Rail, British Steel, Maritime Intermodal and Drax. Distribution runs through dedicated industry sales teams, the link2rail self-service platform, and partner networks such as DB Intermodal Services and Kombiverkehr.
DB Cargo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DB Cargo
- Legal name
- DB Cargo AG
- Website
- https://dbcargo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- DB Cargo AG is Europe's largest rail freight operator and a Deutsche Bahn subsidiary, transporting goods across 14+ countries using ~2,510 locomotives and ~80,000 wagons. It serves enterprise customers in automotive, chemicals, steel, and intermodal logistics through dedicated industry teams and its link2rail digital platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DB Cargo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rail Freight Logistics
- NAICS
- Line-Haul Railroads (482111), Rail Transportation (4821)
- SIC
- Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rail Freight Yard Operations (Classification, Hump & Flat Yards) (TLAJAFAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Project Cargo Logistics & Transport Management (TLADAGAB), Intermodal Terminal Value-Added Services (Cross-Dock, Transload, Stuffing/Stripping) (TLAJAFAL)
Keywords
Where DB Cargo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mainz
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices16 records
Markets served
DB Cargo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Rail Freight Transport Services: Core rail freight transport services including single wagonload transport, block train (Ganzzugverkehr), and combined transport (maritime and continental). Customers pay for freight transportation based on volume, distance, and transport type.
- Door-to-Door Solutions: End-to-end logistics solutions including multimodal transport combining rail with road (first/last mile using HVO-powered trucks), storage, distribution, and technical vehicle services.
- Maintenance and Technical Services: Maintenance services for freight wagons, locomotives, and rail equipment through certified ECM (Entity in Charge of Maintenance) facilities.
- Railway Profession Qualification: Training and qualification services for rail professions (train drivers, wagon inspectors, shunting assistants, shunting locomotive drivers) for external companies, employment agencies, and job centers.
- Climate+ CO2e-Neutral Transport: Premium CO2e-neutral transport chain services using renewable power and HVO, with optional carbon offset through Gold Standard projects. Offered as an eco-solution for sustainability-conscious customers.
- DB Intermodal Services / Container Trading: Container trading and intermodal services for maritime combined transport through DB Intermodal Services.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
DB Cargo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DB Cargo operates Europe's largest rail freight transport network, providing end-to-end rail-based freight services including block trains, single wagonload transport, and intermodal solutions across the continent. The company leverages a fleet of approximately 2,510 locomotives and around 80,000 freight wagons to move bulk goods and industrial cargo for business customers throughout Europe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Climate+: CO2e-neutral transport concept using renewable power, HVO biofuel, and climate compensation projects
- link2rail
- Automotive RailNet
- DB CargoLab
- DB Cargo BTT
- DB*chem hub express
Products and services
- Rail Freight Transport
- Block Train Services
- Single Wagonload Transport
- Intermodal Transport Solutions
- Logistics and Terminal Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 80% less CO₂e emissions compared to road transport
- +10 more outcomes
Companies that use DB Cargo
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments15 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
DB Cargo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature19 records
DB Cargo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NestecoreHVO biofuel producer supplying Neste's HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) to DB Cargo Italia operations near Cervignano and Brescia. The partnership enabled DB Cargo Italia locomotives to run almost entirely on HVO, marking a successful implementation of sustainable fuel.
- FirminminorHVO dealer in Italy working with DB Cargo Italia for fuel supply to locomotives operating near Cervignano and Brescia.
- KombiverkehrcorePartnership for the 'Alter Schwede' intermodal block train product connecting Germany and Sweden, operating since 2015. Kombiverkehr is a key partner in the rail shuttle between Lübeck and Stockholm (via Hallsberg to Rosersberg).
- DB Energie GmbHcorePartnership for Climate+ sustainability solutions including Ökostrom (green electricity) and comprehensive CO₂e offset options through selected Gold Standard sustainability projects. DB Energie also operates HVO filling stations across Germany (over 20 locations) supporting DB Cargo's transition to biofuel.
- Spedition BodecoreLogistics company and founding partner of the 'Alter Schwede' block train service between Germany (Lübeck) and Sweden (Stockpool/Hallsberg/Rosersberg). Contributed to the establishment of this stable, sustainable, and economical intermodal rail alternative.
- DB Cargo KONTImodalcoreSubsidiary/partnership within DB Cargo group for combined transport services, operating the 'Alter Schwede' service and managing Christmas train logistics (e.g., Coca-Cola Christmas train 2025).
- BASFcoreLong-standing partnership for chemical logistics: rail shuttle between Ludwigshafen and Schwarzheide transporting ~270,000 tonnes of chemical goods annually. Contract extended for two additional years from 2024. BASF is one of DB Cargo's largest chemical logistics customers.
- CovestrocoreSustainable chemical logistics partnership: DB Cargo BTT manages transport, storage and distribution for Covestro in Poland using rail combined with HVO-powered trucks for first/last mile, achieving up to 70% CO₂ reduction. Distribution center certified by Covestro achieving 100% delivery reliability.
- Network RailminorDB Cargo UK partnership transporting long-welded steel rails from British Steel's Scunthorpe factory to Network Rail's Eastleigh depot using HVO-fueled locomotives.
- British SteelminorSteel manufacturer whose long-welded rails are transported by DB Cargo UK to Network Rail depots as part of the HVO partnership.
- Maritime IntermodalminorDB Cargo UK partnership: 19 intermodal trains operated entirely on HVO between Port of Felixstowe and Maritime's East Midlands Gateway facility, reducing CO₂e emissions.
- DraxminorDB Cargo UK partnership with Drax (biomass power plant operator) supplying climate-friendly rail transport using HVO-fueled diesel locomotives, replacing approximately 2.7 million liters of diesel with HVO.
- Rolls-Royce (MTU)corePartnership with Rolls-Royce for MTU rail engine approval for sustainable HVO fuel use. Rolls-Royce released MTU class 4000 engines for HVO use following successful joint testing with DB Cargo and RDC Autozug Sylt, validating HVO compatibility without performance or reliability compromises.
- DB SystelcoreJoint implementation partner for the ASaG (Automated Damage Detection on Freight Cars) project combining underfloor cameras, microphones, and AI for automated wagon inspection at Munich North marshalling yard.
- CoDiVecoreJoint implementation partner for the ASaG AI wagon inspection project at Munich North marshalling yard.
- DB InfraGOcoreJoint implementation partner for the ASaG AI wagon inspection project, contributing rail infrastructure expertise.
- University of WuppertalcoreAcademic partner in the ASaG automated damage detection project, providing research expertise in AI and wagon inspection technology.
- Vossloh Rolling StockcorePartnership for up to 250 hybrid locomotives ordered for climate-friendly shunting and greater efficiency on Europe's railways, representing a major investment in sustainable rail freight technology.
Scale indicators18 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
DB Cargo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- TX Logistik: German-owned (Trenitalia) intermodal and rail freight operator focused on European cross-border block trains. Comparable as a more specialized, agile competitor in the intermodal segment where DB Cargo's Combined Transport division competes.
Direct peers
- Renfe Mercancías: Spanish national rail freight subsidiary of Renfe operating single wagonload, intermodal and automotive logistics. Comparable as a European national rail freight operator with similar vertical coverage.
- ÖBB Rail Cargo Group: Austrian state-owned rail freight operator with pan-European services and comparable business model (single wagonload, block train, intermodal). Directly comparable as another major European national rail freight incumbent competing for cross-border volumes.
- SBB Cargo: Swiss federal railway's freight division operating across Europe with single wagonload, block train, and combined transport. Directly comparable in business model, vertical specialization and state-owned parent structure.
- Mercitalia: Italian rail freight operator (part of FS Italiane group) providing block train, single wagonload and intermodal services. Comparable as a southern European rail freight peer competing in Italy where DB Cargo also operates.
- CFL multimodal: Luxembourg-based rail freight and intermodal operator with European reach. Comparable as a mid-sized European rail freight peer with similar combined transport and cross-border offering.
- PKP Cargo: Poland's largest rail freight operator with significant cross-border volumes and intermodal services. Directly comparable in business model and operates in one of DB Cargo's key markets (Poland).
- Fret SNCF: French national rail freight operator providing single wagonload, block train and combined transport. Comparable as a major European state-owned rail freight competitor with similar operational and political ownership dynamics.
Others
- Vossloh Rolling Stock: German rail technology and rolling stock supplier; DB Cargo ordered up to 250 hybrid locomotives from Vossloh. Comparable as a critical supplier/partner in DB Cargo's decarbonization roadmap rather than a direct competitor.
- Kombiverkehr: German intermodal operator coordinating combined road-rail transport across Europe. Comparable as a long-standing partner of DB Cargo on 'Alter Schwede' and a competitor/advisor in the intermodal ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DB Cargo social profiles
Digital presenceDB Cargo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DB Cargo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
DB Cargo subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries9 records
DB Cargo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DB Cargo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DB Cargo
What does DB Cargo do?
DB Cargo operates Europe's largest rail freight transport network, providing end-to-end rail-based freight services including block trains, single wagonload transport, and intermodal solutions across the continent. The company leverages a fleet of approximately 2,510 locomotives and around 80,000 freight wagons to move bulk goods and industrial cargo for business customers throughout Europe.
Is DB Cargo a public or private company?
DB Cargo is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was DB Cargo founded?
DB Cargo was founded in 2009. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is DB Cargo based?
DB Cargo is headquartered in Mainz, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does DB Cargo make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Rail Freight Transport Services are the primary driver. The others are door-to-Door Solutions, maintenance and Technical Services, railway Profession Qualification, climate+ CO2e-Neutral Transport and DB Intermodal Services / Container Trading.
Who are DB Cargo's main competitors?
TX Logistik is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Renfe Mercancías, ÖBB Rail Cargo Group, SBB Cargo, Mercitalia, CFL multimodal, PKP Cargo and Fret SNCF. Others are Vossloh Rolling Stock and Kombiverkehr.
Does DB Cargo have an API?
Yes. link2rail provides eServices for managing rail freight transports via a portal, app, or direct system interface (API) to customers' own systems for streamlined transport processing.
What industry is DB Cargo in?
DB Cargo's product category is Rail Freight Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAJAFAB, Rail Freight Yard Operations (Classification, Hump & Flat Yards), with a secondary code of TLADAGAB, Project Cargo Logistics & Transport Management. Its NAICS code is 482111 and its SIC code is 4011.