11. February 2026, 09:36 o'Clock
Mannheim/Switzerland/Italy
Article: DB Cargo bundles single wagon transit between Germany and Italy
End-to-end responsibility on the north-south axis from 2026
Since January 1, 2026, DB Cargo has assumed end-to-end responsibility for single freight wagon transport between Germany and Italy. Transit on the Mannheim–Chiasso route, which was previously operated by external partners, will in future be managed entirely within the DB Cargo network.
"We are planning up to 36 trains per week and direction. This is a huge step forward, with DB Cargo Switzerland independently operating and managing the central part of the DB Cargo Group's transalpine single freight wagon transport," says Martin Brunner, Managing Director of DB Cargo Switzerland.
Single freight wagon transport is operationally challenging, especially in an international context. At the same time, it is one of DB Cargo's key competitive advantages in Europe: over 4,200 rail sidings are connected to each other in the European network.
By bundling transport services, we are consistently developing our European positioning. Single freight wagon transport is an important lever for greater integration and stabilization of the European network. For the first time, we are bundling the entire transport chain under one roof – from departure in Mannheim to transit through Switzerland to delivery to over 50 Italian rail sidings.
DB Cargo Switzerland employees in front of a locomotive: jointly responsible for end-to-end single wagon transit on the north-south axis between Germany and Italy (from left to right): Daniel Knaus, Loris Bacchetta, Thomas Jedro, and Martin Brunner.
For our customers, this means clear responsibilities, fewer interfaces, and end-to-end control on the central north-south axis. At the same time, we are increasing production stability and improving efficiency along the entire transport chain.
DB Cargo Switzerland is taking on a central role as the link between the different countries, cultures, and operating units. Operationally, DB Cargo Switzerland will in future run services directly from Mannheim through Switzerland to Chiasso. In Italy, its sister company DB Cargo Italia is responsible for shunting and dispatching tasks.
The 200th single wagon train was already operated on this route on January 27 – an early sign of the stability and performance of the new structure. This step not only strengthens single freight wagon transport, but also the European integration of DB Cargo as a whole. The bundled management of cross-border transport creates the basis for further consolidating our network in Europe and positioning it to be sustainably competitive.
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