The Bahn does much more than just run trains through Germany. Trucks, ships and planes with the Group logo are on the road all over the world. Many eyes are now focused on the logistics division.
According to coalition politicians, Deutsche Bahn should concentrate on its core business and possibly sell the international logistics company DB Schenker.
The parliamentary manager of the FDP parliamentary group, Torsten Herbst, referred to the high debts of the federal group and the investment backlog in the German rail network. “Therefore, investments in companies that, like DB Schenker, generate their sales mainly abroad should be sold.”
The Greens transport politician Matthias Gastel suggested the sale or reorganization of subsidiaries that have little contact with the direct rail business and are not needed for more reliable rail transport. The SPD faction did not want to comment on the request of the dpa.
decision not yet made
According to the federal government, there is still no decision on a sale. According to its own statements, the group works council also has no specific information on the subject. The railway and transport union EVG spoke out against selling Schenker.
Most recently, rail boss Richard Lutz had also expressed reservations. The logistics subsidiary has two fantastic years behind it and is financially stabilizing the group with record sales and record profits, Lutz told the German Press Agency in January. “We’ll see what the future brings. In any case, I am currently very happy that we have Schenker.”
DB Schenker offers international transport for industry and trade on land, water and in the air. 74,200 employees work at 2,100 locations worldwide. According to information from supervisory board circles, Schenker made a profit of well over one billion euros in ongoing business last year. The logistician benefits from the high demand for stable global supply chains, it said. With the railways in Germany, however, the railway made a loss.
Schenker worth 20 billion euros?
In recent weeks there has been increased speculation about a sale of Schenker. A purchase price of up to 20 billion euros and several international financial investors were mentioned as potential buyers in media reports. None of these companies wanted to comment when asked.
“We have taken note of the media reports, but cannot confirm them,” said the federal government’s railway officer, Michael Theurer (FDP). “Like everything else, we will measure this decision by whether it makes the railway more attractive overall.”
“The traffic light coalition has set itself the goal of making the state-owned Deutsche Bahn more efficient and transparent,” said Gastel. It is too complex, difficult to see through the network of hundreds of subsidiaries and holdings and difficult to manage.
The FDP politician Herbst criticized: “For many years, Deutsche Bahn AG has been going on a shopping spree with the financial security of a state-owned company.” At the same time, the debt and thus the risks for the German taxpayer rose to new heights. The railway should focus on improving domestic rail transport.
On the employee side, however, possible advantages are emphasized that Schenker could bring to the railways. “I can only recommend anyone who is concerned with the future of DB Schenker to take a close look at it,” warned EVG Vice President Martin Burkert. It has not yet been possible to dovetail the rail freight company DB Cargo and Schenker better. «Customers in freight transport demand a continuous logistics chain. In terms of the climate goals, this is the better way than a sale that will improve DB’s financial gaps in the short term. »
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
