TRIESTE – DB Cargo, Deutsche Bahn’s freight division, has announced a restructuring plan that предусматривает the reduction of around 6,000 jobs in Germany by 2030,
This is nearly half of its current workforce of around 14,000, aimed at cutting costs and bringing the unit back to profitability by the end of 2026. CEO Bernhard Osburg confirmed that the cuts are part of a broad review intended to rebalance the group’s cost base and bring it closer to competitors, after years of weak financial performance and lower demand in the automotive, steel and chemicals sectors.
DB Cargo will continue to move large freight volumes by rail, at around one million tonnes per day, but competitors have been gaining market share. The company said that, where possible, affected employees will be offered positions in other parts of Deutsche Bahn, which employs around 220,000 people.
The plan is also linked to pressure from the European Commission for DB Cargo to reduce reliance on state subsidies and to present a credible path to profitability. The stated goal is to stop the freight division’s losses weighing on the public rail group’s accounts and to achieve net profitability by the end of 2026.
The project includes shutting down some smaller maintenance centres and reorganising less profitable services, with the aim of concentrating activity and resources on more stable and competitive segments.
Unions, including EVG, have voiced opposition to the cuts and said they will try to mitigate the employment impact during negotiations with the company.
