DB Cargo, the freight division of Germany's national rail operator, announced plans to reduce its headcount by 6,000 positions by 2030 as part of a restructuring intended to restore profitability.
Bernhard Osburg, who leads DB Cargo, said the cuts amount to nearly half of the unit's current workforce of 14,000 and will be executed over the next four years. The company described the reductions as a cost-cutting measure designed to better align the division's cost base with prevailing market conditions.
"That’s the gap between us and the competition," Osburg said, characterizing the headcount changes as a response to the mismatch between costs and recent business levels. He highlighted that demand from key customer industries - including automotive, steel and chemicals - had fallen without equivalent adjustments to staffing.
The operator said it will seek to mitigate the impact on staff where feasible by offering affected employees roles elsewhere within Deutsche Bahn. The parent group currently employs roughly 220,000 people across its various operations.
DB Cargo described the workforce reduction as a major restructuring step for a freight division that has been struggling and needs to align its cost structure with market realities. The company framed the plan as an effort to return the business to a sustainable financial footing by lowering expenses.
Impacted sectors and scope
- Workforce: 6,000 jobs to be cut from DB Cargo by 2030, representing nearly half of a 14,000-person workforce.
- Customer industries cited: automotive, steel and chemicals sectors have experienced declines in business for DB Cargo.
- Parent company context: Deutsche Bahn overall employs about 220,000 people and may reassign some affected freight staff internally where possible.
Closing note
The announcement frames the headcount reductions as a necessary step to reduce costs and make the freight division more competitive, while the company explores internal redeployment options for employees affected by the restructuring.