Heavy Haul Power International

What Heavy Haul Power International does

Heavy Haul Power International GmbH (HHPI) is a privately held German railway freight transport company (Eisenbahnverkehrsunternehmen, EVU) founded in 1999 and headquartered in Erfurt, Thuringia. The company specializes in heavy haul rail transport of bulk goods — primarily brown and hard coal, construction aggregates, and other mass goods — for industrial enterprise customers in the energy, mining, and construction sectors. HHPI's stated focus is on medium- to long-term project-based engagements, developing customized complete project solutions alongside each customer rather than spot-market freight. Named enterprise customers include Uniper, MIBRAG, Basalt AG, Eurovia Vinci, Elbekies, and Lausitzer Grauwacke.

HHPI's competitive position is anchored in modern rolling stock and proprietary wagon technology. The company operates a fleet of eight Stadler Eurodual dual-mode (diesel and electric) locomotives, deployed among the early adopters of this generation; these enable maximum gross train loads of up to 4,700 tonnes with a single locomotive, producing the unit-economics advantage the company emphasizes under its "size matters" positioning. Complementing the locomotives is HHPI's proprietary SSDT (Super Self Discharging Train) wagon system, which automates unloading at the destination and was co-developed with a customer. The company also offers ancillary "last-mile" services including shunting and wagon group repositioning.

Commercially, HHPI generates revenue through project-based B2B contracts for rail freight transport services, with pricing structured per contract based on transport volume, route, and customer requirements (not publicly disclosed). The company is fully certified as an EVU in Germany with a national safety management system, holds Dutch operating certification, and is independently certified as an Entity in Charge of Maintenance (ECM). Geographic operations span Germany (with named sites including Wilhelmshaven, Chemnitz, Cottbus, and Petershagen) and the Netherlands. The firm is privately held with no disclosed institutional or venture investment, and remains under the leadership of Geschäftsführer Thomas Schöfbauer.

Name

Heavy Haul Power International

Legal name

Heavy Haul Power International GmbH

Website

https://hhpi.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

German private rail freight operator HHPI, founded 1999, runs heavy haul bulk goods transport for industrial enterprise customers across energy and construction. It operates eight Stadler Eurodual dual-mode locomotives for 4,700-tonne trains and proprietary SSDT automated unloading wagons in Germany and the Netherlands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heavy Haul Rail Freight Transport

NAICS

Line-Haul Railroads (482111), Rail Transportation (482)

SIC

Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011)

akta.pro primary industry

Rail Heavy Haul & Dimensional Loads (Out-of-Gauge) (TLADAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dry Bulk Rail Freight (Unit Trains) (TLADAKAB)

Keywords

• Heavy haul rail freight
• Railway logistics services
• Bulk goods transport
• Freight rail operations
• Industrial rail transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Erfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Railway Freight Transport Services: HHPI generates revenue through providing railway freight transport services for bulk goods including brown/hard coal, construction materials, and aggregates. Services are structured as medium- to long-term project-based contracts with customized train solutions for industrial customers. Revenue is recurring based on transport volumes and contract terms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Heavy Haul Power International GmbH (HHPI) is a private railway freight transport company (EVU) that provides heavy haul rail transport services for bulk goods including brown/hard coal, construction materials, aggregates, and other mass goods. The company develops customized complete project solutions for industrial customers using modern dual-mode Stadler Eurodual locomotives capable of hauling up to 4,700 tonnes per train and proprietary SSDT (Super Self Discharging Train) wagon technology with automated unloading.

Product overview

Heavy Haul Power International GmbH is a private rail freight transport company offering a single integrated service portfolio centered on heavy rail freight. The core offering is the rail freight transport service for bulk goods (brown/hard coal, construction aggregates, and other mass goods), supported by specialized locomotive and wagon technologies. Key product assets include the Stadler Eurodual dual-mode locomotives (8 units deployed) capable of hauling up to 4,700 tonnes per train, and the SSDT (Super Self Discharging Train) featuring automated unloading technology. The company also provides ancillary rail services such as shunting and switching. All offerings are delivered as project-specific solutions tailored to individual customer requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heavy Haul Rail Freight Transport Services Core rail freight transport service specializing in heavy bulk goods such as brown/hard coal, construction materials, aggregates, and other mass goods. Delivered as complete project solutions tailored to industrial customer needs, with an emphasis on large trains enabling large volume effects and cost-efficient freight rates.
• Stadler Eurodual Locomotive Operations Deployment and operation of dual-mode (diesel-electric) Stadler Eurodual locomotives that combine the independence of a full diesel engine with the ecological and economic efficiency of electric traction. HHPI operates eight of these locomotives, enabling maximum gross loads of up to 4,700 tonnes per train with a single locomotive.
• SSDT (Super Self Discharging Train) Wagon Operations Innovative freight wagon technology developed in partnership with a customer, featuring automated unloading at the destination that significantly reduces costs and time. Successfully deployed in daily operations as a finished product originating from a customer-driven concept.
• Railway Shunting and Switching Services Last-mile rail services performed using line-haul locomotives, including shunting, repositioning of wagon groups, and related tasks that save costs and increase customer flexibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 4,700 tonnes gross load per single locomotive train
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 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

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• General Electric (GE)coreTechnology or IntegrationGeneral Electric provides the Triebfahrzeuge (locomotives) for HHPI operations. HHPI operates Stadler Eurodual locomotives, and GE is a key technology partner for locomotive supply and maintenance support.
• GATXcoreTechnology or IntegrationGATX provides Güterwagen (freight wagons) for HHPI operations, including innovative wagon technology. The partnership enables flexible, modern wagon fleet for heavy haul transport operations.
• StadlercoreTechnology or IntegrationStadler is the manufacturer of the Eurodual locomotives operated by HHPI. HHPI has deployed eight Stadler Eurodual locomotives, among the first companies to operate this new generation of dual-mode traction vehicles combining diesel and electric power.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• DB Cargo: DB Cargo is the freight rail subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn and the dominant rail freight operator in Germany and much of Europe. It is comparable to HHPI as the principal incumbent competing for the same enterprise bulk freight customers in the German market.
• SBB Cargo: SBB Cargo is the freight rail subsidiary of Swiss Federal Railways, operating across Switzerland and into neighboring markets including Germany. It is comparable to HHPI as an incumbent rail freight competitor for industrial and bulk customers in the broader Alpine-DACH corridor.

Direct peers

• Hector Rail: Hector Rail is a private rail freight and locomotive operator active in Sweden, Norway, Germany and other Northern European markets. It is comparable to HHPI as a privately held, mid-sized private rail freight operator focused on industrial customers and cross-border operations.
• RailAdventure: RailAdventure is a Germany-based private rail services provider operating locomotive and freight services across Europe. It is comparable to HHPI as a smaller German private rail operator with cross-border capabilities and similar enterprise B2B customer focus.
• ERR (European Rail Rent): European Rail Rent is a German-headquartered private rail operator offering freight traction and rail services across Europe. It is comparable to HHPI as a smaller private rail operator in the German market focused on industrial freight contracts.
• Lineas: Lineas is the largest private rail freight operator in Europe, headquartered in Belgium and operating across multiple EU countries. It is directly comparable to HHPI as a privately held, multi-country rail freight operator serving industrial customers with project-based contracts.
• Captrain: Captrain is the rail freight arm of the CMA CGM-owned (formerly SNCF/Geodis) group and operates across multiple European countries with private rail freight services. It competes with HHPI for industrial bulk freight customers and shares the multi-country private operator profile.

Others

• VTG: VTG is Europe's largest rail freight car leasing company, providing wagon fleets to operators including HHPI. It is comparable as a key ecosystem supplier that HHPI partners with for wagon capacity and that competes indirectly for freight customers via its lessee customers.
• GATX: GATX is a global railcar leasing and services company, explicitly listed as a core wagon supplier to HHPI. It is comparable as an enabling supplier whose lease vs. own decisions affect HHPI's fleet flexibility and competitive cost structure.
• Stadler Rail: Stadler Rail is the manufacturer of HHPI's Eurodual locomotives. It is comparable as a key technology partner whose product roadmap (e.g., dual-mode traction) underpins HHPI's heavy haul capability and whose delivery reliability affects fleet availability.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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• Instagraminstagram.com/heavyhaulpowerint

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Heavy Haul Power International