Business model
DB Cargo offers its customers in 17 European countries access to rail transport as far afield as China, and is a leading provider of European rail freight transport.
Across its international network, DB Cargo
- transports freight cars and groups of freight cars in the single wagon transport system,
- enables transport chains for containers or truck trailers belonging to shipping and freight forwarding companies using multiple means of transport (railway, ships, trucks) in combined transport, and
- operates direct connections from sidings to sidings in block train transport.
In addition to the pure transport service, DB Cargo creates individual solutions with additional logistical services for its customers. Owned or rented traction units and freight cars, terminals and train formation yards, as well as own personnel resources, are used to provide services. Customers include the manufacturing industry in the automotive, steel, recycling and commodities, chemicals and mineral oil, building materials, industrial and consumer goods sectors, as well as shipping companies, freight forwarding companies and combined transport operators throughout Europe. Customers make a conscious decision to use DB Cargo to replace the more environmentally harmful option of transport by truck.
Since DB Cargo generates the majority of its income by transporting goods by rail, the leading performance indicator is volume sold in ton kilometers. In addition to the depreciation of locomotives and freight cars, as well as personnel expenses, the main cost components are energy, infrastructure and maintenance expenses. The intra-Group infrastructure companies and service providers are important suppliers in this respect.
