On the last day of May 2024, ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) finalized the acquisition of Captrain Netherlands. This move aligns with RCG's ongoing internationalization efforts, extending its reach into the Benelux region.
The Netherlands holds strategic importance for rail freight due to its direct connections with the ARA-Ports (Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam) and key train corridors and terminals like Geleen and Moerdijk. This acquisition supports RCG's goal to expand its modal split and meet climate objectives. The Benelux countries are crucial for RCG’s market strategy, enabling the company to handle TransFER connections with its own staff and locomotives, thereby improving cost efficiency and flexibility.
RCG's TransFER network already includes established routes with fixed timetables, such as Linz–Duisburg–Rotterdam, Wolfurt–Rotterdam, and Linz–Antwerp, connecting Western Europe with Central, Southern, and Southeastern Europe. With the acquisition of Captrain Netherlands B.V., RCG aims to strengthen its presence in the region with enhanced operational capabilities.
Captrain Netherlands B.V. has been active in the Netherlands since 2007, focusing on rail transport operations at the Geleen and Moerdijk terminals and the Port of Rotterdam. The company employs 61 people and reported a turnover of 12.2 million euros in 2022, handling 765 million tonne-kilometres with a fleet of seven locomotives dedicated to shunting and last mile services.
