The complex relationship between the Deutsche Bahn and SNCF subsidiaries involved in automotive parts and finished vehicle transport will become a lot simpler with the ending of the cross shareholding set up that has existed between the two rail operators.
DB Schenker, the transportation and logistics division of Deutsche Bahn, is increasing its stake in Spanish rail operator Transfesa by acquiring the 20% owned by SNCF Geodis. The move will take its holding in the automotive parts and finished vehicle transporter to 75%. DB bought its 55.1% majority stake in Transfesa in 2007 when it also took over the UK’s rail provider EWS.
In a simultaneous move SNCF will recover DB Schenker’s 10% stake in STVA, the finished vehicle transport division of SNCF, of which it already retains majority control.
Speculation that a strained business relationship between DB and SNCF may be behind the decision to end the joint holding has been rejected by SNCF Geodis and the companies are expected to maintain commercial relations despite the end of the joint holdings.
Last year DB Schenker realigned its automotive services to combine the networks and offerings from Transfesa and its two other subsidiaries Schenker Automotive RailNet and finished vehicle logistics provider ATG.
