In mid-September 2025, reports emerged of a significant transaction in the Iberian rail freight market — DB Cargo (part of the Deutsche Bahn Group) transferred part of the operations of its Spanish subsidiary Transfesa (mainly the intermodal and domestic segment) to the Spanish conglomerate Boluda Corporación Marítima. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed; the deal is intended to strengthen Boluda’s position in multimodal logistics, while DB will focus on the segments that remain outside the agreement (including automotive logistics and international transport).
DB Cargo, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, has announced the sale of part of its Spanish subsidiary Transfesa. The buyer is Boluda Corporación Marítima – one of the largest logistics operators on the Iberian Peninsula, specializing in maritime transport and port services.
The transaction mainly covers Transfesa’s domestic and intermodal activities: container transport, terminal operations, shunting services, and technical maintenance. With this acquisition, Boluda will become the second-largest rail freight operator in Spain, after Renfe Mercancías. The company emphasizes that integrating maritime and rail services will allow it to offer customers a unified multimodal package and to further develop environmentally friendly “green transport corridors.”
For DB Cargo, the move is part of a broader strategy. Over the past few years, the group has been restructuring its assets and focusing on core business areas. In Spain, DB will retain segments deemed strategic – primarily international transport and logistics services for the automotive sector. As a result, the German operator will scale back its domestic freight activities but maintain a strong presence on the trans-European market.
Industry experts note that the transfer of part of Transfesa’s operations may initially bring operational challenges – such as employee transfers and contract adjustments – but in the long term, it could increase competition in the Spanish market and improve the quality of intermodal services.
The transaction is expected to be finalized by the end of 2025, pending regulatory approval.
