DFDS purchases primeRail and launches a new rail business unit

DFDS will continue to focus on its capabilities in connecting Turkey to European terminals. With the acquisition of primeRail, DFDS will be able to offer more intermodal services on this route, in addition to those already available.

After acquiring the Dutch HSF Group for €296m back in January and quadrupling its cold chain logistics business, DFDS strikes another great deal in purchasing primeRail, a German rail operator. The two parties have worked together since 2020 when DFDS started its Intermodal Transport Competence Center based in Cologne, and last week they decided to sign the acquisition agreement. This center was used by DFDS and primeRail to boost intermodal rail services for their customers. After two years, environmental commitments and intermodal longing made the company invest in its rail business unit.

New rail transportation services and improved offerings

It is quite the news that a global supply chain player is launching a new rail business unit. Until now, DFDS offered rail transportation solutions in partnership with rail companies, just as the collaboration with primeRail suggests.

For example, DFDS just launched an intermodal network from Turkey to Europe along Séte in France. This is a truly diverse service because it also offers customers a connection to Calais in Northern France and an entry to the UK.

Railway transport, aside from sustainability, offers faster shipping at cheaper rates, compared to air freight. When rail transport is not possible, due to the nature of the goods that need to be transported, DFDS offers multimodal transport solutions. This means on-point delivery time, lower costs, and minimized logistics coordination expenses.

Transport between ports and inland European destinations was the focus of the partnership with primeRail. On the connection between Turkey and Germany, the rail operator also assisted DFDS. As a result of their successful collaboration, more rail solutions will now be available.

DFDS will continue to focus on its capabilities in connecting Turkey to European terminals. With the acquisition of primeRail, DFDS will be able to offer more intermodal services on this route, in addition to those already available.