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The Kombiverkehr KG has highlighted the challenges that combined transport in Germany faced in 2025 in a recent statement. Despite a successful transformation of the company and significant investments in digitalization and new transport services, the past business year was burdened by poorly coordinated transport policies and extensive construction work on the rail network. These factors led to a decline in transport volumes and revenues, while the Frankfurt intermodal operator remains optimistic about the future. For 2026, Kombiverkehr demands reliable political framework conditions and a constructive dialogue with the federal government to secure the competitiveness of climate-friendly rail freight transport.
Challenges in Combined Transport
The intermodal sector faced similar challenges in 2025 as in the previous year. A sluggish economy and weak industrial demand were reflected in the transport market. High energy and infrastructure costs, along with extensive construction and modernization measures in the rail network, further burdened combined transport. Diversions and longer transit times affected the reliability of transports and led to increased resource use. The reduced track price subsidies also worsened the competitiveness of rail compared to road freight transport, which benefited from lower diesel prices. Managing Director Armin Riedl reported that the company’s fulfillment rate in 2025 was only 84 percent, as many ordered trains could not be realized due to infrastructural problems.
Financial Results and Environmental Balance
In the 2025 business year, Kombiverkehr KG recorded a decline in transport volume of 13.5% to 665,981 truck consignments. In international transport, 510,573 consignments were transported, representing a decrease of 13.3% compared to the previous year. There was also a decline of 14.2% in national transport. The transport performance fell by 10.3% to 13.35 billion ton-kilometers. Despite these declines, the company was able to contribute to climate protection through its intermodal offerings, avoiding over 1.0 million tons of harmful greenhouse gases. Revenue amounted to 398.4 million EUR, a decrease of 36.2 million EUR compared to the previous year. After taxes, the company generated an annual surplus of approximately 762,000 EUR.
Transformation and Growth Prospects
The successful transformation of the company, completed in spring 2025, creates the conditions for future growth. Riedl emphasized that the realignment of the company has led to an efficient structure that offers additional flexibility and management options. In 2026, Kombiverkehr plans to introduce new train services and expand existing capacities to respond to increasing demand. New connections include direct trains between Lübeck and Verona, as well as between Rostock and Verona.
Strategic Developments and Digitalization
Kombiverkehr has further developed its terminal strategy and strengthened key infrastructure locations such as the Barcelona Morrot terminal and the Rail Hub Duisburg. These locations are crucial for connecting the Mediterranean region with the economic areas in Central and Northern Europe. Additionally, the company is pursuing a comprehensive digitalization strategy that includes modern software architectures and digital customer services. The data hub KV 4.0 is already being used by more than 30 companies and enables efficient data exchange along the intermodal transport chain.
Political Challenges and Demands
The management of Kombiverkehr KG expressed dissatisfaction with the current transport policy in Germany. Riedl criticized that the planning of DB InfraGO is not reliable and that the modernization of infrastructure is not sufficiently coordinated. To minimize the damage to companies in combined transport, management sees legal action as necessary. Furthermore, Kombiverkehr demands compensation for the affected companies and a constructive dialogue with the Federal Ministry of Transport.
Election of the Supervisory Board
During the shareholders‘ meeting, a new supervisory board was elected. The seven-member logistics side of the supervisory board consists of representatives from various companies. Ulrich Maixner was elected as chairman, while the vice-chairmanship remains with DB Cargo AG.
