In a meeting of the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Bahn, it was decided that the German conglomerate will begin preparations to sell up to 100% of its shares in DB Schenker.
The German rail operator is planning to sell DB Schenker, its logistics division, to focus on its core business in the rail industry and its ‘Strong Rail’ strategy. This strategy, launched in 2019, revolves around shifting demand for passenger and freight transport towards green rail travel while expanding Germany’s rail infrastructure.
Deutsche Bahn believes that, under new ownership, DB Schenker can prosper in the logistics market, but admits that it ‘will require larger financial resources and more independence to make international acquisitions with a view to retaining and enhancing its market position’. Because of this, the board thinks that a sale could ‘open up new opportunities for DB Schenker in terms of growth and development’.
In the first six months of 2022, DB Schenker generated €1.2 billion in operating profit, which it reports is the highest mid-year value of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) in the company’s history.
The group has made it clear that it is in no rush to sell DB Schenker and claims that ‘a sale shall only take place if it is of financial advantage for DB Group compared to keeping DB Schenker in the group’.
