It has been confirmed this morning that DB Cargo UK is up for sale, as DB Cargo AG increases its focus on its core Central European operations.

The UK Management Board at DB Cargo UK is looking for a new owner to provide additional capital, more market opportunities and scale to support their next phase of development.

DB Cargo AG, DB Cargo UK’s current shareholder, says it is restructuring its Central European Operations following the European Commission’s State Aid ruling.

Legal and financial advisers have been appointed to support the process of finding a new owner.

DB Cargo UK says that they are confident that a sale represents the best route to securing long-term growth.

The freight operator, which operates a number of services across the UK, says that whilst significant improvements have been made, lots of this has been offset by a number of external factors that have contributed to lower volumes and revenue.

CEO Andrea Rossi says that it is business as usual, with services continuing to operate.

DB Cargo UK remains one of the UK’s leading rail freight operators, with a strong track record of delivering safe, reliable and efficient rail and engineering services to customers across a diverse range of sectors.

Our success is built on the expertise, dedication and professionalism of you – our highly skilled workforce – whose commitment enables us to provide outstanding service every day.

As we look to the future and pursue our growth ambitions, the UK Management Board has today announced that we are looking for a new owner who can provide access to additional capital, broader market opportunities and the scale required to support the next phase of our development.

Our current shareholder, DB Cargo AG, has recently confirmed that its strategic focus will increasingly be on its core Central European operations, which are undergoing restructuring following the European Commission’s State Aid ruling.

In light of this, the UK Management Board has appointed legal and financial advisers to support a structured process aimed at identifying a new owner with the resources, investment capacity and strategic focus to unlock DB Cargo UK’s full future potential.

The sale process has just begun and is supported by a comprehensive plan aimed at delivering for all our stakeholders.

We are confident that a sale represents the best route to securing the long-term growth, competitiveness and sustainability of the business.

Over recent years, our transformation programme in the UK has delivered significant improvements in operational performance and financial efficiency. However, the benefits of these improvements have been offset by a range of external factors, largely beyond our control, which have increased our already challenging cost base, adversely affected key markets, and contributed to reduced volumes and revenue.

Despite these challenges, we firmly believe there is a strong future for our business which has a significant market share, serves a diverse range of customers, has a substantial asset base and extensive property portfolio.

We recognise that today’s announcement will generate questions and concerns for colleagues. We are committed to communicating openly and transparently with you and your Trade Union representatives throughout the process and will provide updates whenever we are able to do so.

In the meantime, the business will continue to operate as normal. I know that you will maintain the high standards of safety, reliability and customer service that have always been the hallmark of DB Cargo UK.

Thank you for your continued professionalism, commitment and support.

DB Cargo UK says that it will not be making any further comment at the time of writing.