The Danish shipping & logistics company has acquired the 2019-founded German, Troisdorf/Cologne-based primeRail, thus establishing the new Rail business unit.

"For DFDS, this is an important strategic step. We have been looking for the right partners with the same value set and commercial orientation as DFDS. primerRail fulfils this, and it is, therefore, a perfect match. We connect our ports by rail to inland terminals. Thereby offering a smooth and environment-friendly transport network to the benefit of our customers and society," commented Peder Gellert Pedersen, EVP and Head of Ferry Division at DFDS.

The new commercial field, headed by primeRail's CEO Patrick Zilles and covering primeRail and existing DFDS' intermodal business, will be organised within the line's Mediterranean business unit.

Lars Hoffmann, Head of DFDS' Mediterranean, said, "Since we acquired our Turkish route network in mid-2018, we have learned how much value train solutions can add to our business model and network. We extend our network, and with the increasing focus on green solutions, it's a natural step to develop our train set-up further. We have since 2018 doubled our number of weekly trains; it is, therefore, natural to take the next step. We see an increasing demand for rail transport combined with our ferry routes and logistics services. Partnering with primeRail allows us to offer additional intermodal solutions. Customers can drop off units at our terminals in Turkey and pick them up in Europe very close to the end destinations."

The complete integration of primeRail into DFDS is expected later this year.

The two have worked together earlier: in 2020, in partnership with primeRail, DFDS launched its Intermodal Transport Competence Center in Cologne.

Photo: DFDS