GERMANY: Deutsche Bahn's rail freight business DB Schenker Rail AG was renamed DB Cargo AG with effect from March 1. All DB Schenker Rail companies in Germany and elsewhere are to be rebranded by the end of 2016.
DB's passenger and rail freight transport business units were combined into a Traffic & Transport Division in August 2015, and will now use the DB logo as a single ‘more straightforward’ brand. ‘The aim is to improve the product portfolio and service quality we offer our customers, and having the business units in the rail system partnering together will further that aim’, said Andreas Busemann, Head of Sales at DB Cargo.
DB’s rail and logistics activities have also been separated, with global logistics now using the DB Schenker brand and rail freight using the DB Cargo name. ‘Although we are separating our logistics and rail businesses from each other by name, we will of course continue to offer integrated rail transport and logistics services throughout Europe where it makes sense for the market and our customers’, said Busemann.
Proposals for the possible part-privatisation of DB Schenker Logistics and the Arriva passenger business which operates outside Germany had been announced in July 2015. A decision had been due to be taken at an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for last month, but this was postponed with the government reportedly indicating it was unhappy with DB’s proposals for spending the sale proceeds.
