DB Cargo Management Board promises CO2-free rail logistics

Not just for Earth Day

Martin Schrüfer, 22.04.2021, 12:00

DB Cargo Management Board promises CO2-free rail logistics

"We want to offer CO2-free rail logistics for all customers," explained the Management Board of DB Cargo AG at its meeting in Mainz. "On average, a single freight train replaces 52 trucks. Rail is already saving our global climate 80 to 100 percent CO2 compared to road transport," explained Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, Chairwoman of the DB Cargo Management Board, on the occasion of "Earth Day", which takes place on April 22.

DB Cargo is promoting the new climate targets with a symbolic container campaign in major German cities and on freeways. "We can already offer every customer a completely CO2-free supply chain for all goods," promises DB Cargo. "We can do this because we rely on the largest environmental network in European land transport - the rail network," says Dr. Nikutta. "The task now is to raise awareness of green supply chains not only at the management level of our cargo customers, but also among consumers."

Electric locomotives already provide 95 percent of DB Cargo's traction power. The energy required for this can also be fed in 100 percent as green electricity if customers so wish. DB Cargo can also offer climate-neutral transports for goods "on the last mile to the customer" - and offset them with climate certificates. "It's not just the carbon footprint of rail freight transport - our DNA as Deutsche Bahn is also green," says Dr. Nikutta, referring to Deutsche Bahn's climate targets.

DB Cargo Management Board in front of the green container, DB Cargo headquarters in Mainz, from left to right: Pierre Timmermans, Dr. Ursula Biernert, Ralf Günter Kloss, Dr. Sigrid Nikutta, Thorsten Dieter, Dr. Martina Niemann. © DB Cargo / Patrick Kuschfeld / Image montage due to current corona rules

Europe's largest rail group wants to be climate-neutral by 2050. "It is not difficult for us to say goodbye to diesel: we have made the decisive decisions in the Executive Board so that we can convert our entire locomotive fleet to electric and alternative drive concepts in the medium term. Digitalization is also helping us to become even more effective - and therefore more climate-friendly for our customers, said Dr. Nikutta in a statement on Earth Day.

You might also be interested in

Rail freight transport

TX Logistik launches new intermodal connection between Cologne and Bologna

TX Logistik is expanding its range of rail freight services to Italy. On 11 January 2021, the Mercitalia Group company, which specializes in Europe-wide transport services, will launch its first intermodal connection between Cologne and Bologna with...

From Munich-Allach to Denmark

Siemens Mobility sells 1000th Vectron locomotive

Siemens Mobility has sold its 1000th Vectron locomotive. The anniversary locomotive was ordered by the Danish State Railways (DSB).

Personnel

Mirko Pahl leaves TX Logistik

Mirko Pahl will leave the railroad company TX Logistik on July 31. His successor as CEO of the company will be announced in the coming days.

Admission procedure completed

New generation of freight wagons is now ready for series production

A new type of freight wagon will ensure more freight is transported by climate-friendly rail. DB Cargo and VTG have developed the modular m² wagon (pronounced "m-quadrat") and have now been given the green light for series production.

Ukraine war

Deutsche Bahn launches rail bridge for aid supplies to Ukraine

Deutsche Bahn has set up a logistics network by road and rail to transport relief supplies from Germany directly to Ukraine.

Knapp builds Korea's largest shuttle system

Together with Knapp and Doosan Logistics Solutions, Asung Daiso is building a new highly automated omnichannel logistics center in Yangju, South Korea. The facility is the largest shuttle system ever built by Knapp in South Korea.

Kion gets off to a strong start in 2026

Significant increase in incoming orders

The intralogistics company Kion Group records a significant increase in order intake in the first quarter of 2026 and increases profitability and cash flow despite geopolitical uncertainties.

Fully automated large warehouse launched in Páty

Gebrüder Weiss has put an automated warehouse into operation in Hungary, largely replacing manual processes. The new logistics center near Budapest increases efficiency, capacity and sustainability and at the same time responds to increasing demands...

Integration of a robotics solution