Freightliner acquires ERS Railways

Both companies have been significant service providers to Maersk for more than 15 years, a relationship strengthened further by the long-term contract entered into between Maersk Line and ERS Railways as part of the acquisition.

Confirming the sale, Soren Toft, from Maersk Line said: “This new set-up provides us with the opportunity to continue our long term contractual relationship with both companies as well as to develop our key European markets”.

ERS Railways provides maritime hinterland services from key European ports, including Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Lübeck and Rostock, as well as continental European rail services for intermodal operators and forwarders.

Corridors served run through continental Europe to various destinations in Italy, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic.  ERS owns 47% of boxXpress.de GmbH, the Germany-based railway undertaking active in German maritime hinterland traffics.

Peter Maybury, chief executive of Freightliner Group, said: “The acquisition of ERS is a very good fit with our growth strategy and further extends our profitable footprint, following our successful entry into the Polish and German bulk haul markets over the last seven years and our entry into Australia in 2009”.

Commenting on the acquisition, Frank Schuhholz, managing director of ERS Railways, who will continue to lead the business, said: “ERS Railways has successfully proven to be an important player on the European intermodal railway markets.  Freightliner will allow us not only to foster our strong relationship with Maersk Line in the long term but also to expand into new markets, which creates value for our customers and our new shareholder”.

No financial details have been disclosed and the deal is subject to the necessary approvals and compliance with applicable laws.