Overview

• DB Cargo is evaluating a 60 to 80 percent reduction in its operations, which would eliminate at least 4,000 jobs and potentially up to 8,000 positions.
• CEO Sigrid Nikutta has stated that the freight arm cannot continue without additional state subsidies after posting a €357 million loss in 2024 and anticipating further shortfalls this year.
• The struggling single wagonload segment represents about 40 percent of DB Cargo’s traffic and has operated at a deficit despite existing government support.
• The EVG union proposes moving the deficit-ridden wagonload service into nonprofit status under DB InfraGO to maintain operations without commercial profitability targets.
• EU mandates require DB Cargo to break even by 2026, and Deutsche Bahn’s board aims to reach a final restructuring decision by the end of July.