DB Cargo Nederland N.V.
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. is the largest rail freight operator in the Netherlands and a subsidiary of DB Cargo AG, transporting bulk industrial commodities across Europe and to China using 2,340 locomotives and 64,800 wagons, supported by the link2rail digital platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersUtrecht, Netherlands
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DB Cargo Nederland N.V. does
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. is the largest rail freight transport company in the Netherlands and a wholly-owned subsidiary of DB Cargo AG, itself part of Deutsche Bahn Group. The company connects Dutch seaports (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Vlissingen, Terneuzen) and industrial customers with the European hinterland, operating block train, single wagonload, intermodal, and Full Load Solutions services across more than 29 European countries and into China via the Transeurasian corridor. It serves enterprise customers in chemicals, steel, automotive, coal and ore, paper and pulp, building materials, environmental services, and energy/infrastructure, with named accounts including Renewi and the Gasunie/Porthos CCS project. Core physical assets include 2,340 locomotives and 64,800 wagons, with three wholly-owned operating subsidiaries at Kijfhoek, Waalhaven, and Chemelot Geleen.
The technology layer is built around link2rail, a digital customer platform providing Planner, Track&Trace, Geofence Control, DIUM, Wagon Catalogue, and a growing REST API portfolio (JavaScript SDK) that allows direct ERP integration. Approximately 63,000 wagons carry telematics generating about 2 million datasets per day, processed in the DB IoT cloud and surfaced as Wagon Intelligence digital twins and Value Added Business Events. The business model is transaction-based, quote-driven rail freight pricing on multi-year contracts, supplemented by door-to-door logistics coordination, terminal handling at the railport network, customs brokerage (AEO certified, T2 Swiss Corridor), and the premium Climate+ CO2e-neutral service combining renewable power, HVO biofuel on non-electrified lines, and atmosfair offsetting. Go-to-market blends enterprise field sales with personal account managers, a digital self-service channel (link2rail), the DBRailnet BeNeLux regional team, and a specialized Full Load Solutions unit for Eurasian flows.
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DB Cargo Nederland N.V.
- Legal name
- DB Cargo Nederland N.V.
- Website
- https://nl.dbcargo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- DB Cargo Nederland N.V. is the largest rail freight operator in the Netherlands and a subsidiary of DB Cargo AG, transporting bulk industrial commodities across Europe and to China using 2,340 locomotives and 64,800 wagons, supported by the link2rail digital platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Rail Freight Logistics
- NAICS
- Line-Haul Railroads (482111), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cross-Border Rail Freight Operators (International Corridors) (TLADACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cross-Border/International Rail Freight Forwarding (TLACADAB), Intermodal Terminal Value-Added Services (Cross-Dock, Transload, Stuffing/Stripping) (TLAJAFAL), Rail Terminal Scheduling, Slot Management & Throughput Optimization (TLAJAFAH)
Keywords
Where DB Cargo Nederland N.V. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Utrecht
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Rail Freight Transport Services: Core revenue from rail-based freight transport services including block train transport, single wagonload transport, and intermodal solutions. Revenue generated through transport contracts, tariffs, and service fees based on distance, volume, and commodity type.
- Door-to-Door Logistics Services: First and last mile transport organization, including pre-carriage and on-carriage transports, terminal operations, and customs clearance services. Revenue includes logistics coordination fees and terminal handling charges.
- Full Load Solutions (Eurasia Corridor): Block trains, FCL (Full Container Load), and LCL (Less-than-Container Load) services for China-Europe and Europe-wide transport including door-to-door solutions, value-added services like customs clearance, security, and monitoring.
- Railport and Terminal Services: Access to railport network for multimodal transport, container depot operations, storage services, and transshipment services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Transport services - Customized per transport |
| Freemium | Monthly | link2rail eServices - Many free, some premium |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | API Access - Per API product |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. is the largest rail freight transport company in the Netherlands, providing block train, single wagonload, and intermodal rail freight services connecting Dutch seaports and industries with the European hinterland across 29 countries. The company operates a fleet of 2,340 locomotives and 64,800 wagons, supported by the link2rail digital platform for transport planning, booking, tracking, and invoicing, and offers door-to-door logistics, customs clearance, and the Climate+ CO2e-neutral shipping service.
Product overview
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. offers a comprehensive rail freight transport portfolio combining block train and single wagonload services with a digital platform (link2rail) and multiple supporting services. The core offering consists of Rail Transport Services providing flexible, affordable Europe-wide freight transport including international solutions, DBRailnet BeNeLux regional services, and DB Cargo Full Load Solutions for full load shipments. The link2rail digital platform serves as the central hub for customer services including Track&Trace, Geofence Control, Planner, Rail Access, DIUM, Wagon Catalogue, NHM-Codes, Network, and EcoTransIT World. Additional services encompass Climate+ for CO2e-neutral shipping, Custom Services for customs clearance, Door-to-door logistics, Loading consultancy, and Wagon Intelligence with IoT-enabled tracking. The company serves industries including Automotive, Building materials, Chemicals, Coal and Ore, Intermodal, Paper and pulp, Special transport, and Steel.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- link2rail: Digital platform of DB Cargo providing eServices for rail freight transport management including booking, monitoring, and invoicing.
- DBRailnet BeNeLux
- Climate+
- DB Cargo Full Load Solutions
Products and services
- Rail Transport Services Block train and single wagonload transport services providing flexible, affordable Europe-wide rail freight transport, including connections to Asia. Serves industrial shippers requiring bulk freight transport for commodities such as chemicals, steel, automotive, paper, coal/ore, and building materials.
- Door-to-Door Logistics End-to-end logistics services that include organizing first and last mile transport, ensuring just-in-time delivery with narrow time slots, and providing railport access for multimodal transport. Designed for shippers without direct rail sidings or those needing complete logistics coordination.
- Custom Services Customs services including customs transit declarations lodged in the name of DB Cargo Nederland, eliminating the need for fiscal guarantees, and T2 Swiss Corridor for EU goods transported via Switzerland without customs formalities. Leverages AEO certification for streamlined customs clearance.
- Climate+ CO2e-neutral shipping service using 100% renewable power on electrified routes, biofuels (HVO) on non-electrified routes, and investment in climate protection projects via atmosfair, achieving CO2e neutrality for transported goods.
- DBRailnet BeNeLux Rail network services covering the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany with connections to seaports at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp, providing high-frequency, fast, and reliable transport to the hinterland.
- DB Cargo Full Load Solutions Tailormade transport solutions for FTL, FCL within Europe and FCL and LCL to and from Eurasia via the Transeurasian Corridor connecting China and Europe, including door-to-door solutions for block trains and containers, with value-added services like customs clearance, security, and monitoring.
- link2rail Digital Platform Digital customer platform providing multiple eServices for rail freight transport management including planning, booking, monitoring, tracking, and invoicing through portal and API access. Includes Track&Trace, Geofence Control, Planner, Rail Access, DIUM, Wagon Catalogue, NHM-Codes, Network, Invoice View, and EcoTransIT World tools.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 80% less CO2 emissions than road transport
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use DB Cargo Nederland N.V.
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Renewi, Cabooter Venlo, AEB Amsterdam, Topsector LogistiekminorPilot partnership to transport residual waste by rail instead of road. 500 tonnes of waste transported in bales by train. Partners include waste recycler Renewi, rail operator Cabooter Venlo, waste processor AEB Amsterdam, and logistics program Topsector Logistiek.
- Rail Freight The Future is Ours InitiativecoreDB Cargo is co-initiator of the 'Rail Freight. The Future is Ours' platform, which aims to better position the Dutch rail freight sector. The initiative presents a unified voice for the sector and promotes sustainable, competitive, and reliable freight transport through transparent, future-oriented stories.
- Lubbers Projects & ServicesminorCooperation for Gasunie Porthos CO2 transport tubes project. DB Cargo transported tubes to CT Delta terminal at Maasvlakte Rotterdam; Lubbers organized onward transport to Gasunie storage location.
- Gasunie / Porthos ProjectminorCO2 transport project where CO2 from Rotterdam harbor industries is transported and stored in empty gasfields under the North Sea. DB Cargo provides rail transport of tubes using over 100 wagons twice weekly.
- DB Cargo AG (Parent Company)coreDB Cargo Nederland is part of DB Cargo AG, the largest rail freight supplier in Europe. Benefits include network access, shared technology (link2rail), best practices, and group-wide sustainability initiatives.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Hupac: Swiss intermodal operator running shuttle trains through the Netherlands (e.g., Rotterdam/Benelux corridors); competes specifically on combined/intermodal transport where DB Cargo Nederland also offers solutions via its Full Load Solutions and BeNeLux services.
- Cabooter Rail Cargo: Dutch independent rail freight operator; competes for block train and hazardous goods traffic out of Dutch ports and inland terminals — recently partnered on the Renewi residual waste rail pilot against DB Cargo Nederland's market.
Regional players
- SBB Cargo: Swiss national rail freight operator; competes on the Rhine-Alpine corridor and NL/CH/Italy industrial flows where DB Cargo Nederland runs its international block train services.
Direct peers
- CFL Cargo: Luxembourg-based rail freight operator with strong presence in Benelux industrial corridors; a direct competitor for cross-border block train and single wagonload contracts in the same geography.
- Captrain (formerly VFLI/Euro Cargo Rail): European rail freight operator within the SNCF group; directly competes on cross-border industrial freight (chemicals, automotive, steel) and runs comparable single wagonload and block train services across NL/DE/BE/FR.
- Lineas: Belgium-based private rail freight operator (Greenbrier family) competing head-to-head with DB Cargo Nederland on the BeNeLux and Rhine-Alpine corridors, offering block trains, single wagonload, and intermodal services with similar customer segments.
- ERS (European Rail Shuttle): Rotterdam-based independent rail operator running container block trains between Dutch ports and German/European hinterland; directly overlaps with DB Cargo Nederland's intermodal and BeNeLux service offering.
- Rail Cargo Group (ÖBB): Austrian state-owned rail freight operator active across Central and Northern Europe; competes for industrial block train and combined transport customers on routes crossing through Germany and the Netherlands.
- Fret SNCF: French national rail freight operator; competes on the NL–FR and NL–BE–FR industrial corridors for chemicals, automotive, and steel freight, with similar block train and wagonload product set.
Broad incumbents
- DB Cargo AG: The parent entity of DB Cargo Nederland and Europe's largest rail freight operator; runs the same line-haul and single wagonload services, link2rail platform, and ~64,800-wagon telematics fleet that the Dutch subsidiary accesses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. social profiles
Digital presenceDB Cargo Nederland N.V. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. 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 Nederland N.V.
What does DB Cargo Nederland N.V. do?
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. is the largest rail freight transport company in the Netherlands, providing block train, single wagonload, and intermodal rail freight services connecting Dutch seaports and industries with the European hinterland across 29 countries. The company operates a fleet of 2,340 locomotives and 64,800 wagons, supported by the link2rail digital platform for transport planning, booking, tracking, and invoicing, and offers door-to-door logistics, customs clearance, and the Climate+ CO2e-neutral shipping service.
Is DB Cargo Nederland N.V. a public or private company?
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was DB Cargo Nederland N.V. founded?
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. was founded in -1. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is DB Cargo Nederland N.V. based?
DB Cargo Nederland N.V. is headquartered in Utrecht, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does DB Cargo Nederland N.V. make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Rail Freight Transport Services are the primary driver. The others are door-to-Door Logistics Services, full Load Solutions (Eurasia Corridor) and railport and Terminal Services.
Who are DB Cargo Nederland N.V.'s main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Hupac and Cabooter Rail Cargo. SBB Cargo is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are CFL Cargo, Captrain (formerly VFLI/Euro Cargo Rail), Lineas, ERS (European Rail Shuttle), Rail Cargo Group (ÖBB) and Fret SNCF. DB Cargo AG is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does DB Cargo Nederland N.V. have an API?
Yes. link2rail APIs allow developers to use DB Cargo data directly in their in-house systems. APIs are described as programming interfaces that eliminate the need for separate login to the link2rail online portal. Currently available eServices via API include Track&Trace and Geofence Control. The API product portfolio is constantly being expanded, with the Order API currently in preparation. Real-time results such as GPS status updates are supported. Developer documentation is at developers.dbcargo.com/link2rail-en.
What industry is DB Cargo Nederland N.V. in?
DB Cargo Nederland N.V.'s product category is Rail Freight Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADACAL, Cross-Border Rail Freight Operators (International Corridors), with a secondary code of TLACADAB, Cross-Border/International Rail Freight Forwarding. Its NAICS code is 482111 and its SIC code is 4011.