DB Cargo

At the end of the 1990s, the operational business of Deutsche Bahn was reorganised into five legally independent joint-stock companies.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Dieter |last = Kuckelkorn |title = Bahn-Aufsichtsrat beschließt Holding-Struktur. |newspaper = Börsen-Zeitung |date = 6 December 1997 |page = 9}} This measure formed part of the second stage of the German rail reform.{{Cite magazine |language = de |title = Zweite Stufe der Bahnreform|magazine=Eisenbahn-Revue International |issue = 1/2 |date = 1998 |issn = 1421-2811 |page = 2}}{{Cite news |language = de |title = Deutsche Bahn AG: Aufsichtsrat beschließt Ausgliederungen. Bahnreform wird weiter planmäßig umgesetzt. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 5 December 1997 |page = 17}} Within the scope of this restructuring, a precursor company was initially established in 1997,{{Cite news |language = de |title = Bahnreform geht weiter. Erst eine GmbH für den Güterverkehr. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 4 December 1996 |page = 17}} which had the purpose of facilitating a transformation of the entity's rail freight transport division structured under public law into a private enterprise company.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Güterverkehr: Neuorganisation setzt auf Eigenverantwortung. DB Cargo macht sich fit für die Selbstständigkeit.|newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 22 April 1996 |page = 15}} Accordingly, on 1 January 1999, the company DB Cargo AG was ultimately founded to undertake these operations.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Deutsche Bahn AG: Ab 1999 nur noch Holding. Bahnreform geht in die zweite Runde. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 11 December 1996 |page = 23}} The headquarters of DB Cargo AG were established in Mainz.{{Cite news |language = de |title = DB Cargo weiht Zentrale in Mainz ein. Eine der fünf Bahn AGs. |newspaper = Der Tagesspiegel |date = 9 May 1998 |page = 19}}

At first, DB Cargo solely focused on its domestic activities. Accordingly, the Deutsche Bahn Group produced investment plans that directed billions in its subsidiary in order to improve its position in the German transport and logistics market.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Bahn will Milliarden in Güterverkehr investieren |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 31 October 1996 |page = 23}} As the competitive environment with other European providers became increasingly challenging in the late 1990s,{{Cite news |language = de |first = Niels |last = Boeing |title = Europas Güterbahnen spüren den Wettbewerb. Fusion soll DB Cargo und NS Cargo im künftigen EU-Transportmarkt Vorsprung sichern. |newspaper = Die Tageszeitung |date = 25 June 1998 |page = 9}} Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Dutch state-owned rail company Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) announced plans to merge their rail freight transport activities in 1998.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Dieter |last = Kuckelkorn |title = Deutsche und niederländische Bahn fusionieren ihre Cargo-Sparten |newspaper = Börsen-Zeitung |date = 24 June 1998 |page = 1}}

Together, DB Cargo and NS Cargo reached revenues of around 6.9 billion Deutsche Mark (3.5 billion euros) and had roughly 50,000 employees.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Bahn-Cargo-Fusion mit Holländern ist perfekt. |newspaper = Frankfurter Neue Presse |date = 24 June 1998 |page = 2}} Their amalgamation was the first ever cross-border rail merger, in which Deutsche Bahn retained its majority share of 94%.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Michael |last = Machatschke |title = Erste europäische Bahnfusion: Deutsche und Niederländer schließen Gütertransport auf der Schiene zusammen. |newspaper = Die Welt |date = 23 June 1999 |page = 23}} A financial holding company, Railion GmbH, was created for this new company,{{Cite news |language = de |title = Fusion aus Fahrplan gestrichen. Deutsch-holländische Güterbahn kommt nicht auf die Schiene. |newspaper = Frankfurter Rundschau |date = 1 March 2000 |page = 16}} and commenced operations during early 2000.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Ralf |last = Heidenreich |title = Bahn setzt auf Railion GmbH: Mainzer Transportunternehmen soll mehr Güter auf die Schiene bringen. |newspaper = Allgemeine Zeitung |date = 17 September 1999}}

The successful creation and launch of Railion laid the foundation for the establishment of a leading European transport and logistics company.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Güterverkehr: Bahn legt Grundstein für europäische Transportfirma. Deutsche gehen mit Niederländern zusammen – Verbund offen für weitere Partner. |newspaper = Mitteldeutsche Zeitung |date = 23 June 1999}}{{Cite news |language = de |title = Deutsche und niederländische Bahn gehen zusammen. Europäisches Transport- und Logistikunternehmen wird gegründet. |newspaper = Der Tagesspiegel |date = 19 June 1999 |page = 18}} Specifically, from the onset, the organisation was open to the incorporation of further partners.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Deutsch-niederländische Güterverkehrs-Fusion: Rail Cargo Europe sucht noch Partner. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 23 June 1999 |page = 14}} While the European Commission and European Parliament aimed to promote competition among providers, the providers themselves instead opted to foster cooperation.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Eberhard |last = Krummheuer |title = Bahnen wollen Kooperation statt Konkurrenz. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 27 November 2000 |page = 15}} During 2001, the Danish state-owned rail company Danske Statsbaner (DSB) opted to merge its rail freight transport activities into the joint venture, becoming its third partner and received shares totalling 2% in Railion in return, thus decreasing the stake of Deutsche Bahn in the venture to 92%.{{Cite news |language = de |title = DB steigt bei dänischer Güterbahn ein. Sparte künftig unter Dach der Holding Railion – Dänen erhalten Anteile. |newspaper = Berliner Morgenpost |date = 15 December 2000 |page = 10}}

The cooperation between DB, NS and DSB has reportedly played an essential role in Deutsche Bahn's long-term strategy for expansion in other European countries.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Deutsche Bahn: Mehdorn auf Einkaufstour |newspaper = Wirtschaftswoche Telebörse |date = 14 December 2000 |page = 14}} This strategy covered not only state-owned rail companies but also the acquisition of private sector rivals, for example in Italy (2004),{{Cite news |language = de |first = Christian |last = Gaertner |title = Deutsche Bahn baut Frachtgeschäft in Italien aus. Railion soll mehr Güter auf die Schiene holen. |newspaper = Die Welt |date = 3 May 2005 |page = 15}} Switzerland (2007){{Cite news |language = de |first = Stephanie |last = Lahrtz |title = Deutsche Güterbahn expandiert in Schweiz: Eigener Wagenladungsverkehr durch Erwerb einer Schweizer Firma. |newspaper = Neue Zürcher Zeitung |date = 14 June 2007 |page = 16}} and Poland (2009).{{Cite news |language = de |first = Nikolaus |last = Doll |title = Expansion im Güterverkehr nach Polen |newspaper = Die Welt |date = 30 January 2009 |page = 13}} These were joined by a multitude of smaller acquisitions such as the transport and logistics divisions of RAG AG.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Annette |last = Becker |title = RAG verkauft Logistik an Stinnes-Tochter Railion. |newspaper = Börsen-Zeitung |date = 18 January 2005 |page = 10}} In Sweden, where Deutsche Bahn was unable to acquire its chosen target,{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/railion-scheitert-bei-uebernahme-von-green-cargo-276515.html |title = Railion scheitert bei Übernahme von Green Cargo. |publisher = Verkehrsrundschau |date = 24 March 2005 |access-date = 8 January 2020 |archive-date = 24 July 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724183348/https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/railion-scheitert-bei-uebernahme-von-green-cargo-276515.html |url-status = dead }} the company instead focused on establishing collaborative ventures. At the end of the 2000s, Railion was therefore able to not only offer connections across large stretches of Europe running from north to south,{{Cite news |language = de |first = Werner |last = Balsen |title = Railion schafft sich Standbein in der Schweiz. Verbund der deutschen Güterbahn reicht jetzt nahtlos von Dänemark bis Norditalien. |newspaper = Frankfurter Rundschau |date = 14 May 2007 |page = 10}} but reliably serve rail route that run from west to east as well.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Ulf |last = Brychcy |title = Deutsche Bahn blickt nach Osteuropa. Logistikvorstand prüft Einstieg im Zuge der Privatisierung von Güterbahnen. Tochter Railion beschleunigt Expansion. |newspaper = Financial Times Deutschland |date = 15 May 2007 |page = 7}}

Despite this expansion into the rai freight sectors of several neighbouring nations, the presence of effective competition to provide freight services had reportedly made a negative impact on the company's economic development by May 2005.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Gütersparte der Bahn in Bedrängnis. Railion-Sanierung stockt wegen harter Konkurrenz. |newspaper = Der Tagesspiegel |date = 6 May 2005 |page = 19}} Recognising the company's unfavourable financial position, Deutsche Bahn opted to respond by enacting numerous cost-saving measures;{{Cite news |language = de |first = Claudia |last = Wanner |title = Bahn verordnet Tochter Railion harten Sparkurs. Kosten der Güterverkehrssparte sollen bis zu 20 Prozent sinken. |newspaper = Financial Times Deutschland |date = 1 June 2005 |page = 6}} these were credited with a significant improvement in Railion's circumstances.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Güterbahn Railion rollt Richtung Profit. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 28 April 2005 |page = 17}} During 2010, the rail freight transport crisis was initially deemed to have been largely resolved.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Birger |last = Nicolai |url = https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article10648099/Gueterverkehr-laesst-die-Krise-hinter-sich.html |title = Deutsche Bahn: Güterverkehr lässt die Krise hinter sich. |publisher = Die Welt |date = 31 October 2010 |access-date = 8 January 2020}}

During early 2003, Deutsche Bahn transferred its share in Railion to the {{Interlanguage link|Stinnes AG|de}} (which later became DB Mobility Logistics). After the successful acquisition of the then-listed logistics company Stinnes, including its freight forwarding subsidiary Schenker AG, a restructuring of responsibilities took place within Deutsche Bahn.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Eberhard |last = Krummheuer |title = Bahn-Konzern am Ziel. Stinnes vor Abschied von der Börse. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 18 February 2003 |page = 13}} Subsequently, DB Cargo, NS Cargo and most of the other Railion companies solely focused on freight forwarding while Stinnes and Schenker took on central tasks in the fields of rail freight transport and sales.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Jürgen H. |last = Wintermann |title = Stinnes übernimmt die Logistik bei der Deutschen Bahn. |newspaper = Die Welt |date = 4 July 2002 |page = 13}} By consolidating all of its transport and logistics activities, Deutsche Bahn also aimed to achieve growth in the freight transport domain.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Bahn will mit Stinnes im Güterverkehr kräftig wachsen. |newspaper = Die Welt |date = 6 September 2003 |page = 13}} The company adjusted its image to reflect this aim and as a result, DB Cargo was renamed Railion Deutschland.{{Cite news |language = de |title = Bahntochter wird umfirmiert: Aus DB Cargo wird Railion Deutschland. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 11 September 2003}}

At this point, the general objective pursued by Deutsche Bahn was to better cover the entire transport chain with all transportation means and routes.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Eberhard |last = Krummheuer |title = Deutsche Bahn und Stinnes: Logistiker sollen die Güterbahn retten. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 1 July 2002 |page = 9}} Over the years that followed, however, this approach mainly resulted in a shift of its freight transport activities away from the rails and towards the road network instead.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Eberhard |last = Krummheuer |title = Inside Railion: Mit Volldampf nach Europa. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 17 August 2007 |page = 12}} The company realised that it needed to improve the links between its rail and road transport in particular, and securing acquisitions was one way to do so.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Eberhard |last = Krummheuer |title = Deutsche Bahn übernimmt weitere Güterbahn – Konzern steigt bei norditalienischer Nord-Cargo ein – Transporte über Schienen und Straßen sollen mehr verknüpft werden. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 17 September 2008 |page = 18}} In 2009, Deutsche Bahn abandoned the Railion brand and instead chose to consolidate all of its rail freight transport activities under the name DB Schenker Rail. At the time, its organisational structure remained unchanged.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/handel-konsumgueter/gueterverkehr-deutsche-bahn-gibt-marke-railion-auf/2902854.html |title = Güterverkehr: Deutsche Bahn gibt Marke Railion auf. |publisher = Handelsblatt |date = 7 December 2007 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} Media reports, however, already began to speculate about a stock market launch of the newly formed DB Schenker division.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Ulf |last = Brychcy |title = Bahn lockt Anleger mit Logistik. |newspaper = Financial Times Deutschland |date = 26 May 2008 |page = 6}}

During the 2010s, the business operations of DB Schenker Rail experienced a significant decline.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Birger |last = Nicolai |title = Güterverkehr der Bahn bricht um ein Viertel ein. Logistik-Vorstand Rausch erwartet Verlust bei DB Schenker Rail. Neue Aufträge im Ausland. |newspaper = Die Welt |date = 4 January 2010 |page = 13}} One of the primary factors behind this decline was the economic slump that had followed the 2008 financial crisis. The company initially responded to this negative development by introducing a more flexible price structure.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Nikolaus |last = Doll |title = Bahn plant Sparpreis-Ticket im Güterverkehr. |newspaper = Die Welt |date = 23 March 2016 |page = 10}} It aimed to use a combination of block trains for large clients and bookings of single wagons to establish a fixed timetable that would in turn increase the capacity utilisation of its trains.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Christian |last = Schlesiger |title = DB Schenker Rail: Harte Zeiten für die Bahn. |newspaper = Wirtschaftswoche |date = 29 April 2013 |page = 8}} Other measures considered included the closure of numerous freight railway stations in order to reduce fixed costs,{{Cite news |language = de |url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/bahn-erwaegt-schliessung-vieler-gueterbahnhoefe-14126958.html |title = Streichliste: Bahn erwägt Schließung vieler Güterbahnhöfe. |newspaper = Faz.net |publisher = Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung |date = 15 March 2016 |access-date = 8 June 2020}} and efforts to reduce staff headcount at all levels of the business.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/deutsche-bahn-streicht-2100-stellen-im-gueterverkehr-a-1083744.html |title = Sanierung: Deutsche Bahn streicht 2100 Stellen im Güterverkehr. |publisher = Der Spiegel |date = 23 March 2016 |access-date = 8 January 2020}}

News of these cost reduction measures was quickly met with sharp criticism by various trade unions;{{Cite web |language = de |first = Dieter |last = Fockenbrock |url = https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/handel-konsumgueter/db-cargo-eisenbahner-mobilisieren-die-politik/13700578.html |title = DB Cargo: Eisenbahner mobilisieren die Politik. |publisher = Handelsblatt |date = 7 June 2016 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} their opposition included demands that the approach be abandoned immediately,{{Cite news |language = de |title = Kritik an Management der Güterbahn. Streit um den Umbau bei Bahn-Tochter DB Cargo. |newspaper = Der Tagesspiegel |date = 7 July 2017 |page = 10}} and accusations of the company's mismanagement.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Christian |last = Schlesiger |url = https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/dienstleister/stellenabbau-bei-db-schenker-rail-das-versagen-des-managements-/12468194.html |title = Stellenabbau bei DB Schenker Rail: Das Versagen des Managements |publisher = Wirtschaftswoche |date = 29 October 2015 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} Following several months of negotiations, the Deutsche Bahn Group and its works council finally agreed on a restructuring programme for DB Cargo during February 2007.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/handel-konsumgueter/bahn-tochter-db-cargo-konzern-und-betriebsrat-einigen-sich-auf-sanierungsplan/19387972.html |title = Bahn-Tochter DB Cargo: Konzern und Betriebsrat einigen sich auf Sanierungsplan. |publisher = Handelsblatt |date = 14 February 2007 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} Under this programme, the previously proposed across-the-board job cuts that year were avoided,{{Cite web |language= de |url = https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/dienstleister/db-cargo-gueterbahn-entschaerft-sanierungskurs/13740590.html |title = DB Cargo: Güterbahn entschärft Sanierungskurs. |publisher = Wirtschaftswoche |date = 15 June 2016 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} instead, the new approach aimed for the gradual reduction of headcount over a period of several years.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Nikolaus |last = Doll |title = Bahn löst Bremse im Güterverkehr. |newspaper = Die Welt |date = 14 February 2007 |page = 9}} On the whole, the company retained its ambition to grow its freight transport activities.

To reflect the company's focus on its core business activities in the domain of rail freight transport, it was again renamed, adopting the DB Cargo AG designation in early 2016. The name was also readopted for its most important German and international subsidiaries and continues to apply in the present day.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/db-schenker-rail-heisst-jetzt-db-cargo-1766477.html |title = DB Schenker Rail heißt jetzt DB Cargo. |publisher = Verkehrsrundschau |date = 2 March 2016 |access-date = 8 January 2020 |archive-date = 24 July 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724152818/https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/db-schenker-rail-heisst-jetzt-db-cargo-1766477.html |url-status = dead }} Accordingly, DB Cargo and DB Schenker are equal sister companies within the integrated rail system of the DB Group.

According to media reports, DB Cargo reduced its fleet size by nearly one half in the 2000s and 2010s.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Stefan |last = Paravicini |title = DB Cargo kommt nicht auf Touren. |newspaper = Börsen-Zeitung |date = 24 December 2019 |page = 8}} The remaining locomotives were increasingly replaced by multi-system models that can also be used in the international rail network.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.bahn-manager.de/db-cargo-und-siemens-mobility-schlie%C3%9Fen-rahmenvertrag/ |title = DB Cargo und Siemens Mobility schließen Rahmenvertrag. |publisher = Bahn Manager |date = 18 January 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}} Furthermore, the company also equipped its inventory of wagons with whisper brakes,{{Cite news |language = de |first = Peter |last = Thomas |url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/technik-motor/technik/gegen-laerm-von-gueterzuegen-mit-fluesterbremse-und-schallschutzwand-16148079.html |title = Gegen Lärm von Güterzügen: Mit Flüsterbremse und Schallschutzwand |newspaper = Faz.net |publisher = Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung |date = 28 April 2019 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} which had reportedly halved the noise pollution generated by the movement of its freight trains.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.allianz-pro-schiene.de/glossar/fluesterbremse/ |title = Flüsterbremse |publisher = Allianz Pro Schiene |access-date = 11 May 2020}} Another area of investment by the company has been the addition of state-of-the-art sensors and telematics,{{Cite web |language = de |first = Ralf |last = Lanzinger |url = https://www.eurotransport.de/artikel/komplette-wagenflotte-von-db-cargo-bis-2020-mit-intelligenter-sensorik-und-telematik-10882817.html |title = Komplette Wagenflotte von DB Cargo: Bis 2020 mit intelligenter Sensorik und Telematik. |publisher = Eurotransport |date = 28 August 2019 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} which has reportedly been responsible for improvements in its competitiveness.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dvz.de/rubriken/meinung/detail/news/digitalisierung-macht-db-cargo-wettbewerbsfaehiger.html |title = Digitalisierung macht DB Cargo wettbewerbsfähiger. |publisher = Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung (DVZ) |date = 1 September 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}} Seeking to progress developments in this area, between 2016 and 2019, DB Cargo played a leading role in the "Innovative Freight Wagons" research project conducted on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BWVI).{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/E/forschungsprojekt-innovativer-gueterwagen.html |title = Forschungsprojekt "Innovativer Güterwagen" |publisher = Bundesministerium für Verkehr und digitale Infrastruktur (BMVI) |access-date = 15 April 2020}} Although the wagons used by DB Cargo have generally become older in recent years, they have also increased in size so that they can transport larger quantities of goods.{{Cite news |language = de |url = https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/deutsche-bahn-die-gueterwagen-werden-immer-aelter-16762961.html |title = Deutsche Bahn: Die Güterwagen werden immer älter. |newspaper = Faz.net |publisher = Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung |date = 10 May 2020 |access-date = 11 May 2020}}

As of 2020, the majority of freight is still being transported by road,{{Cite web |language = de |first = Thomas |last = Wüpper |url = https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/db-cargo-warum-der-gueterverkehr-die-groesste-baustelle-der-bahn-ist/23915420.html |title = DB Cargo: Warum der Güterverkehr die größte Baustelle der Bahn ist. |publisher = Der Tagesspiegel |date = 27 January 2019 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} DB Cargo stands to gain from the increased interest in its services due to the expectation that rail freight transport will play an essential role in achieving climate targets.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Thomas |last = Wüpper |title = Deutsche Bahn: DB Cargo soll aus der Krise fahren. |newspaper = Der Tagesspiegel |date = 20 June 2019 |page = 16}} Within this context and based on expert opinions, in September 2019, the German Federal Government announced plans to transfer millions of lorry trips from road to rail,{{Cite web |language = de |first = Thomas |last = Wüpper |url = https://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/inhalt.zukunft-des-gueterverkehrs-regierung-sucht-perspektiven-fuer-db-cargo.2d53064a-07a7-45fd-bf60-c2531b72fa55.html |title = Zukunft des Güterverkehrs: Regierung sucht Perspektiven für DB Cargo. |publisher = Stuttgarter Zeitung |date = 11 September 2019 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} although similar attempts made in previous years had reportedly achieved little progress.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Matthias |last = Arnold |url = https://www.dw.com/de/db-cargo-die-schiene-kommt-nicht-zum-zuge/a-51801849 |title = DB Cargo: Die Schiene kommt kaum zum Zuge. |publisher = Deutsche Welle |date = 26 December 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}} One of the main measures planned towards achieving this aim is the gradual optimisation of train drivers' productivity.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Christian |last = Schlesiger |url = https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/dienstleister/deutsche-bahn-lokfuehrer-fahren-zu-selten-zug/24587312.html |title = Deutsche Bahn: Lokführer fahren zu selten Zug. |publisher = Wirtschaftswoche |date = 12 July 2019 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} The current changes being implemented at DB Cargo form part of the strategy to strengthen Deutsche Bahn in its entirety that was launched in 2019.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/deutsche-bahn-stellt-strategie-fuer-staerkung-der-schiene-vor-2417186.html |title = Deutsche Bahn stellt Strategie für Stärkung der Schiene vor. |publisher = Verkehrsrundschau |date = 19 June 2019 |access-date = 8 January 2020 |archive-date = 24 July 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724184735/https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/deutsche-bahn-stellt-strategie-fuer-staerkung-der-schiene-vor-2417186.html |url-status = dead }}

During the global outbreak of the novel respiratory disease COVID-19, which hindered cross-border logistics due to limitations in the area of passenger and goods transport, the company was able to secure its transport operations successfully. DB Cargo provided additional capacities for transporting supplies for the population, especially food and hygiene products.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Regina |last = Weinrich |url = https://www.eurotransport.de/artikel/db-cargo-faehrt-transporte-ueber-grenzen-hygienepapier-lebensmittel-11154299.html |title = DB Cargo fährt: Transporte über Grenzen. |publisher = Eurotransport |date = 20 March 2020 |access-date = 15 April 2020}} The running of large special freight services, such as the "Pasta Express" from Italy, attracted considerable media attention.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Dieter |last = Fockenbrock |title = DB Cargo: Pasta-Express aus Italien. |newspaper = Handelsblatt |date = 20 March 2020 |page = 25}} Shortly after the start of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, DB Cargo started hauling aid from across Europe to Ukraine;{{cite web |url = https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/132782/european-railways-remain-committed-to-relief-efforts-supporting-ukrainians/ |title = European railways remain committed to relief efforts supporting Ukrainians |publisher = globalrailwayreview.com |date = 18 March 2022}} however, military officials have issued warnings that DB Cargo lacks sufficient capacity to meet the needs of a large scale military conflict in Eastern Europe.{{cite web |url = https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/currency/US-DOLLAR-RUSSIAN-ROUBL-2370597/news/Europe-wakes-up-to-a-new-need-to-defend-itself-42378056/ |title = Europe wakes up to a new need to defend itself |publisher = Reuters |date = 21 November 2021}}

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DB Cargo AG, a public limited company under German law, acts as a holding company for the operational entities. Its corporate purpose covers rail and road services for the transportation of all kinds of goods and the procurement and operation of stationary and mobile means of transport such as locomotives, railcars, wagons and other containers. Its articles of association also cover related services. The holding company is entitled to carry out all activities deemed to serve the specified business purpose either directly or indirectly. This includes the establishment and management of companies and the acquisition of other companies.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.unternehmensregister.de/ |title = DB Cargo AG (Amtsgericht Mainz, HRB 7498) |website = Unternehmensregister |publisher = Bundesanzeiger Verlag |access-date = 8 January 2020}}

DB Cargo AG has a share capital of 256,007,000,000 euros, which is divided into 51,201,400 no-par value bearer shares. When it transferred the assets and liabilities of its former freight transport division as part of the spin-off for the establishment of a new company, Deutsche Bahn AG acquired all of the company's shares and is therefore the sole shareholder of DB Cargo AG. A control and profit-and-loss-transfer agreement is in place between the parent company and subsidiary. DB Cargo AG is included in the consolidated financial statement of Deutsche Bahn. The company Deutsche Bahn AG is in turn wholly owned by the Federal Republic of Germany.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Standardartikel/Themen/Bundesvermoegen/Privatisierungs_und_Beteiligungspolitik/Beteiligungspolitik/deutsche-bahn-ag.html |title = Deutsche Bahn AG |publisher = Bundesministerium der Finanzen (BMF) |access-date = 8 January 2020}}

The Board of Management of DB Cargo AG is composed of at least two people, one of whom is responsible for staff-related and social matters in connection with employees. Otherwise, the Supervisory Board determines the number and identities of the members of the Board of Management The current Members of the DB Cargo AG Board of Management are Sigrid Evelyn Nikutta (Chairwoman), Ursula Biernert (Human Resources), Thorsten Dieter (Service), Ralf Günter Kloß (Production), Martina Niemann (Finance/Controlling) and Pierre Timmermans (Sales).{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/rail-de-de/metanavi/unternehmen/vorstand |title = Vorstand |publisher = DB Cargo |access-date = 11 May 2020}}{{Cite web |language = de |first = Timon |last = Heinrici |url = https://www.dvz.de/rubriken/menschen/meine-passion/detail/news/db-cargo-vorstand-wird-erweitert.html |title = DB-Cargo-Vorstand wird erweitert. |publisher = Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung |date = 21 April 2020 |access-date = 11 May 2020}} The percentage of women on the board exceeds the average value of other German companies.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Gary |last = Huck |url = https://www.mm-logistik.vogel.de/5050-verhaeltnis-im-db-cargo-vorstand-a-926123/ |title = 50:50-Verhältnis im DB-Cargo-Vorstand |publisher = MM Logistik |date = 21 April 2020 |access-date = 11 May 2020}}{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://de.statista.com/themen/873/frauenquote/ |title = Statistiken zur Frauenquote |publisher = Statista |access-date = 20 December 2019}}

The supervisory board of DB Cargo AG has 20 members. It is composed of shareholder and employee representatives in equal measure, who are elected according to the regulations of the {{Interlanguage link|German Stock Corporation Act|de|Aktiengesetz (Deutschland)}} and {{Interlanguage link|German Codetermination Act|de|Mitbestimmungsgesetz}}. The supervisory board currently has six female and 14 male members. Its chairman is {{Interlanguage link|Richard Lutz (manager)|de|Richard Lutz}}, who has been the CEO of Deutsche Bahn since 2017.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Sven |last = Böll |url = https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/richard-lutz-lob-fuer-den-neuen-bahn-chef-a-1139912.html |title = Bahn-Chef Richard Lutz: Bloß kein Rock'n'Roller |publisher = Der Spiegel |date = 22 March 2017 |access-date = 31 January 2020}} The vice-chairman is Martin Burkert, a member of the board of the {{Interlanguage link|German Railway and Transport Union|de|Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft}} (EVG). Claus Weselsky, chairman of the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL), is another member of the supervisory board, which therefore contains representatives from the two leading trade unions for the rail industry in Germany.

The business operations of DB Cargo are divided into three regions: Germany, Central Europe and Western & Eastern Europe. The German company DB Cargo AG is responsible for both operational services in the field of rail freight transport in Germany and central functions such as production, sales, finance and human resources for the entire DB Cargo Group.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/rail-de-de/metanavi/unternehmen/firmenprofil |title = Firmenprofil |publisher = DB Cargo |access-date = 15 April 2020}}

During 2010, Deutsche Bahn joined several other railway companies in becoming a partner of the European {{Interlanguage link|Xrail Alliance|de|Xrail}}, represented by its subsidiary DB Schenker Rail (now DB Cargo).{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.chemanager-online.com/themen/logistik/db-schenker-rail-engagiert-sich-xrail-allianz |title = DB Schenker Rail engagiert sich in Xrail-Allianz. |publisher = CHE-Manager |date = 19 February 2020 |access-date = 8 January 2020}} Ever since it was established, the alliance has focused on the objective of making single wagonload transport, namely freight trains with wagons used by different clients, a more competitive alternative to lorry transport.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Leo |last = Klimm |title = Güterbahnen gründen Allianz gegen Lkw. Deutsche Bahn und Partner wollen Verluste eindämmen. |newspaper = Financial Times Deutschland |date = 19 February 2010 |page = 6}} Xrail also aims to achieve more customer-friendly service, efficiency and punctuality in cross-border transport,{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/gueterverkehr-auf-der-bahn-soll-wettbewerbsfaehiger-werden-923421.html |title = Güterverkehr auf der Bahn soll wettbewerbsfähiger werden. |publisher = Verkehrsrundschau |date = 18 February 2010 |access-date = 20 January 2020 |archive-date = 24 July 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724173807/https://www.verkehrsrundschau.de/nachrichten/gueterverkehr-auf-der-bahn-soll-wettbewerbsfaehiger-werden-923421.html |url-status = dead }} for example with its universal booking system, Xrail Capacity Booking (XCB).{{Cite web |language = de |first = Ilona |last = Jüngst |url = https://www.eurotransport.de/artikel/internationale-transporte-einfacher-buchen-x-rail-bietet-neues-buchungssystem-10807503.html |title = Internationale Transporte einfacher buchen: X-Rail bietet neues Buchungssystem. |publisher = Eurotransport |date = 5 June 2019 |access-date = 8 January 2020}}

Within the Deutsche Bahn Group, DB Cargo is mainly responsible for the following subsidiary and sister companies, all of which are directly involved in the domain of rail freight transport:

• DB Cargo Belgium, Antwerp, Belgium{{cite web |url = https://kbopub.economie.fgov.be/kbopub/zoeknaamfonetischform.html?lang=nl |title = DB Cargo Belgium bvba. |publisher = Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = nl}}
• DB Cargo Bulgaria, Pirdop, Bulgaria{{cite web |url = http://www.brra.bg/Default.ra |title = DB Cargo Bulgaria EOOD |publisher = Търговски регистър и регистър на ЮЛНЦ. МИНИСТЕРСТВО НА ПРАВОСЪДИЕТО |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = bg}}
• DB Cargo Czechia, Ostrava, Czech Republic{{Cite web |url = https://or.justice.cz/ias/ui/rejstrik |title = DB Cargo Czechia s.r.o. |website = Veřejný rejstřík a Sbírka listin |publisher = Ministerstvo spravedlnosti České republiky |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = cs}}
• DB Cargo Danmark, Taastrup, Denmark (formerly DSB Cargo){{Cite web |url = https://datacvr.virk.dk/data/index.php |title = DB Cargo Danmark Services A/S |publisher = CVR, det Centrale Virksomhedsregister |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = da}}
• DB Cargo Eurasia GmbH, Berlin, Germany (formerly Trans-Eurasia Logistics){{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.unternehmensregister.de/ |title = DB Cargo Eurasia GmbH |website = Unternehmensregister |publisher = Bundesanzeiger Verlag |access-date = 31 January 2020}}
• DB Cargo France, Paris, France (formerly Euro Cargo Rail){{Cite web |url = https://www.infogreffe.fr/ |title = Euro Cargo Rail SASU |publisher = Infogreffe |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = fr}}
• DB Cargo Hungária, Győr, Hungary{{Cite web |url = https://www.e-cegjegyzek.hu/ |title = DB Cargo Hungária Kft. |publisher = Minisztérium Céginformációs és az Elektronikus Cégeljárásban |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = hu}}
• DB Cargo Italia, Novate Milanese, Italy (formerly SFM Strade Ferrate del Mediterraneo){{Cite web |url = https://www.registroimprese.it/ |title = DB Cargo Italia S.r.l. |website = Registro Imprese |publisher = Camera di Commercio |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = it}}
• DB Cargo Nederland, Utrecht, Netherlands (formerly NS Cargo){{Cite web |url = https://www.kvk.nl/ |title = DB Cargo Nederland N.V. |publisher = Kamer van Koophandel (KVK)|access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = nl}}
• DB Cargo Polska, Zabrze, Poland (formerly PCC Rail){{Cite web |url = https://arch-bip.ms.gov.pl/ |title = DB Cargo Polska S.A. |website = Biuletyn Informacji Publicznej |publisher = Ministerstwo Sprawiedliwości |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = pl}}
• DB Cargo Romania, Timișoara, Romania{{Cite web |url = https://www.onrc.ro/index.php/ro/ |title = Deutsche Bahn Cargo Romania SRL |website = Oficiul Național al Registrului Comerțului |publisher = Ministerul Justiției |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = ro}}
• DB Cargo Russija, Moscow, Russia
• DB Cargo Schweiz, Basel, Switzerland (formerly BRS Brunner Railway Services){{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.zefix.ch/ |title = DB Cargo Schweiz GmbH |publisher = Zentraler Firmenindex |access-date = 8 January 2020}}
• DB Cargo UK, Doncaster, United Kingdom{{Cite web |url = https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house |title = DB Cargo (UK) Ltd. |publisher = Companies House |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = en}}
• Transfesa (Transportes Ferroviarios Especiales), Madrid, Spain{{Cite web |url = https://www.registradores.org/registroonline/home.seam |title = Transportes Ferroviarios Especiales, S.A. |publisher = Registradores de España |access-date = 8 January 2020 |language = es}}

These are joined by further companies that have special responsibilities in areas such as sales, transporting dangerous goods and combining traffic flows:

• DB Cargo BTT
• DB Cargo Logistics
• DB Intermodal Services
• TFG Transfracht
• Transa Spedition

The service catalogue of DB Cargo consists of a wide variety of basic, additional and special services.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/resource/blob/4983928/6005b35d5950f2ba7d61dbbf854b435e/Leistungskatalog_2020-data.pdf |title = Leistungskatalog 2020 |publisher = DB Cargo |date = 27 November 2019 |access-date = 15 April 2020 |archive-date = 24 July 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724184037/https://www.dbcargo.com/resource/blob/4983928/6005b35d5950f2ba7d61dbbf854b435e/Leistungskatalog_2020-data.pdf |url-status = dead }} The company's core products particularly include block train and single wagonload transport services,{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/rail-de-de/leistungen/schienentransporte |title = Schienentransporte: Viel Zug für große und kleine Mengen. |publisher = DB Cargo |access-date = 15 April 2020}} the combination of rail and road, and carbon-neutral transport, for example for Audi.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.umweltdialog.de/de/wirtschaft/logistik/2018/Audi-faehrt-mit-DB-Cargo-deutschlandweit-CO2-frei.php |title = Audi fährt mit DB Cargo deutschlandweit CO2-frei. |publisher = Umweltdialog |date = 11 September 2017 |access-date = 10 January 2020}} The latter is becoming increasingly important given that rail transport currently has the lowest carbon emissions of all carriers and also achieved the largest savings in recent years (1995–2015).{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/resource/blob/5042780/d7df6d3e582f042ff7c1656cec82af26/praesentation_nachhaltigkeit-data.pdf |title = Umweltvorteil Schiene |publisher = DB Cargo |access-date = 15 March 2020 |archive-date = 24 July 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724181847/https://www.dbcargo.com/resource/blob/5042780/d7df6d3e582f042ff7c1656cec82af26/praesentation_nachhaltigkeit-data.pdf |url-status = dead }}

The company additionally offers a wide range of industry solutions, for example for the chemicals industry and the timber and building materials trades.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/rail-de-de/branchen/chemie |title = Branchen / Chemie |publisher = DB Cargo |access-date = 15 April 2020}}{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/rail-de-de/branchen/holz |title = Branchen / Holz |publisher = DB Cargo |access-date = 15 April 2020}}{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/rail-de-de/branchen/baustoffe |title = Branchen / Baustoffe |publisher = DB Cargo |access-date = 15 April 2020}} DB Cargo is also active on an international level. Its global operations particularly focus on transport between Europe and Asia,{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.eurailpress.de/nachrichten/unternehmen-maerkte/detail/news/db-cargo-zehn-jahre-china-verkehre-neue-vertriebseinheit-db-cargo-eurasia.html |title = DB Cargo: Zehn Jahre "China-Verkehre" – neue Vertriebseinheit "DB Cargo Eurasia". |publisher = Eurailpress |date = 8 October 2018 |access-date = 10 January 2020}} where the company has an extensive network.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Sebastian |last = Reimann |url = https://www.dvz.de/rubriken/logistik/detail/news/alexander-doll-wir-haben-in-asien-eines-der-groessten-netze.html |title = Alexander Doll: Wir haben in Asien eines der größten Netze. |publisher = Deutsche Verkehrs-Zeitung (DVZ) |date = 14 May 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}} Its service portfolio also includes related services such as the sale and rental of locomotives and wagons.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/handel/verkehr-deutsche-bahn-will-mit-lok-und-waggonverkauf-rote-zahlen-verhindern/25354532.html |title = Deutsche Bahn will mit Lok- und Waggonverkauf rote Zahlen verhindern. |publisher = Wirtschaftswoche |date = 19 December 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}}

In the 2018 business year, DB Cargo transported more than 255 million tonnes of goods in 2,686 traction units and 82,895 goods wagons. Leased or hired materials are factored into these totals. The company provided its services on around 4,200 sidings belonging to clients in Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.dbcargo.com/rail-de-de/metanavi/unternehmen/zahlen-und-fakten |title = Zahlen und Fakten |publisher = DB Cargo |access-date = 15 April 2020}} It transported goods along a route network covering a total of 33,000 kilometres in Germany and, according to calculations by the {{Interlanguage link|German Federal Office for Goods Transport|de|Bundesamt für Güterverkehr}} (BAG), achieved an average punctuality rate of 72.9% when providing these services.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.bag.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Marktbeobachtung/Herbst_und_Jahresberichte/Jahr_2018.pdf |title = Jahresbericht 2018 |publisher = Bundesamt für Güterverkehr (BAG) |access-date = 8 January 2020 |page = 31 |archive-date = 24 July 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200724201951/https://www.bag.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Marktbeobachtung/Herbst_und_Jahresberichte/Jahr_2018.pdf |url-status = dead }}

During 2019, DB Cargo was reportedly operating at a loss.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/unternehmen/bahn-tochter-db-cargo-steigert-verluste-a-1292950.html |title = Güterverkehr: Bahn-Tochter DB Cargo steigert Verluste. |publisher = Der Spiegel |date = 21 October 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}} Critics have accused Deutsche Bahn of having neglected the necessary maintenance work on, and the modernisation of, DB Cargo's infrastructure; claims have also been made that the comparably high average age of its locomotives and wagons is a prime example of this problem.{{Cite news |language = de |first = Anja |last = Krüger |url = https://taz.de/Gueterverkehr-der-Deutschen-Bahn/!5640524/ |title = Güterverkehr der Deutschen Bahn: Die Lage ist desaströs. |newspaper = Die Tageszeitung: Taz |publisher = Die Tageszeitung |date = 26 November 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}} In September 2019, the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) responded to criticism by the German Federal Court of Auditors regarding the company's lack of investments by arguing that DB Cargo and other segments had yet to exhaust their full potential.{{Cite web |language = de |url = https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/rechnungshof-deutsche-bahn-101.html |title = Bundesrechnungshof: Der Bahn fehlen drei Milliarden Euro. |publisher = Tagesschau |date = 13 September 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}}

During mid 2022, the European Commission (EC) conducted an investigation into the allegedly unfair provision of state aid to DB Cargo from the German government.{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/policy/ec-seeks-comments-under-db-cargo-state-aid-investigation/ |title = EC seeks comments under DB Cargo state aid investigation |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 19 August 2022 |first = Robert |last = Preston}} Limited amounts of state aid, such as to offset the abnormal economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have been approved by the EC in the past.{{cite web |url = https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_22_4726 |title = State aid: Commission approves €215 million German support to compensate Deutsche Bahn for damages suffered by its subsidiaries due to the coronavirus pandemic |publisher = ec.europa.eu |date = 27 July 2022}}

Single wagonload transport have played a special role in the economic development of DB Cargo and the wider rail freight sector alike. In the late 2010s, experts were issuing demands that the company subsidise its activities, or shrink its business, in this area in order to remain a strong competitive alternative to lorry transport.{{Cite web |language = de |first = Christian |last = Schlesiger |url = https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/dienstleister/gutachten-zu-db-cargo-einzelwagenverkehr-muss-subventioniert-oder-geschrumpft-werden/24861164.html |title = Gutachten zu DB Cargo: Einzelwagenverkehr muss subventioniert oder geschrumpft werden. |publisher = Wirtschaftswoche |date = 2 August 2019 |access-date = 10 January 2020}}

Following the Great Belt Bridge rail accident, in which eight people died, a union representative from DB Cargo was convicted of evidence tampering.

• Transportation in Germany
• Transportation in the Netherlands

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category inline|DB Cargo}}

• [https://www.dbcargo.com/ Official website] of DB Cargo
• [https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/konzern/konzernprofil/Konzernunternehmen/db_cargo-1191810 DB Cargo Business Unit] at Deutsche Bahn (the DB Group)

{{Deutsche Bahn}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Companies based in Mainz

Category:Deutsche Bahn

Category:Logistics companies of Germany

Category:Railway companies established in 2009