23. October 2025, 11:31 o'Clock
Article: Continental combined transport on the move
Efficiency, customer orientation and market-oriented logistics solutions
Rail logistics is changing - and DB Cargo is actively shaping this change. As part of the ongoing transformation, the structures in combined transport (CT) have been realigned. The aim is to make processes more efficient and implement customer-oriented solutions even more consistently. Since the beginning of 2025, CT has been divided into two clearly focused areas: maritime CT, which connects seaports and industrial centers, and continental CT - KONTImodal, which reliably links terminals in Germany and Europe.
The new structure ensures that responsibility is clearly assigned, processes are optimized and customers receive predictable, stable transports. This results in solutions that are geared towards both the daily requirements of the terminals and long-term transport strategies.
Continental CT - reliable and plannable
Sylke Hußmann, Head of Intermodal Continental
Under the management of Sylke Hußmann, the focus is on stable, plannable transports between terminals. Train drivers, locomotives and wagons are permanently assigned, ensuring that the trains are continuously manned and run smoothly. Handovers and idle times are minimized, which makes processes efficient and plannable. Every year, thousands of trains run across the national and international route network, ensuring that goods move reliably from terminal to terminal.
With over 30 years of experience in rail logistics and network planning, she ensures stable transport processes, optimizes processes through digitalization and develops customer-oriented solutions.
Infobox:
Around 12,000 trains a year connect national and international terminals; 75 locomotives and 123 train drivers ensure continuous staffing and stable processes.
Organizational integration and participations
KONTImodal bundles the operational and sales activities of continental combined transport within DB Cargo and also manages central shareholdings in the European network. These include the main shareholdings in Kombiverkehr, Lokomotion, PKV and RTC as well as the shareholdings in the German terminals Singen, Dörpen and Roland in Bremen and the foreign terminals Lovosice (CZ), Taulov and Hoje Taastrup (both DK). These companies and locations are therefore closely linked to KONTImodal and together form the basis for stable, Europe-wide networked CT services.
Sales and product logic - tailored to customer needs
Martin Ritterhaus, Head of Sales and Product Management
Sales & Product Management, headed by Martin Ritterhaus, bundles customer requirements and ensures regional implementation tailored to the core markets. In the north, KONTImodal offers a comprehensive product portfolio both via the all-rail route via Denmark and with connections to the ferry terminals in Germany and Sweden.
In the west and south, KONTImodal offers comprehensive solutions for all relevant transport tasks from a single source, particularly for Italy, Spain and France - and everything is possible within Germany: standard, express or transports with special requirements.
KONTImodal's product logic bundles the services into seamless, practical solutions: Full-service solutions for complex transport chains, pure traction and partial services such as local transport, wagon rental or customs services. In this way, customers receive tailor-made, plannable transport solutions that work both nationally and internationally.
KONTImodal product logic: complete range of services - with a focus on long-dated national & international products
Operations - control and efficiency from a single source
Oliver Hilgers, Head of Operations Continental
Oliver Hilgers is responsible for the implementation of the planned transports. He heads the Operations department, which is responsible for planning, control and resource coordination.
The production structure of continental CT is consistently geared towards the needs of customers. The fixed allocation of train drivers, locomotives and wagons minimizes handovers, reduces disruptions and stabilizes running times. In this way, the strategic guidelines from sales and product management are translated into reliable, practical transports that offer customers maximum planning security across national and international routes.
The structure is flexible enough to cover different market segments - from classic terminal-to-terminal runs to complex, long-haul international connections with partners and single freight car transport services. Customers thus benefit from reliable processes, stable transit times and a high degree of flexibility without compromising operational efficiency.
With the transformation, KONTImodal has focused on its core markets.
With the ongoing restructuring, the clear organizational and production structure and the KONTImodal product logic, DB Cargo is making continental CT - KONTImodal more efficient, predictable and customer-oriented. Trains are running reliably from terminal to terminal, processes are stable and customers receive tailor-made solutions from a single source - practical, transparent and implemented step by step.
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