Industry Statistics and Trends
Freight Rail Transport in Europe key trends
The European rail freight industry suffers from intense external competition.
The share of EU freight transport performed by rail, based on tonne-km, decreased between 2011 and 2020 to 16.8% in 2020, while the percentage completed by road increased.
Germany leads freight rail transport in Europe.
According to the Eurostat, Germany was by far the most significant contributor to the rail freight transport performance in the EU (excluding Belgium), representing 31% of total EU rail freight transport in 2021.
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Freight Rail Transport in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Freight Rail Transport in Europe market size (2019-2024)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €48.4bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
The European rail freight industry suffers from intense external competition
- Approximately 3.1 trillion tonne-kilometres of goods were hauled across the European rail network in 2019, making it the second-largest region for rail freight worldwide.
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Freight Rail Transport in Europe outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
The ongoing Net Zero agenda favours investment in rail transport infrastructure
- With the increasing concerns over more sustainable transportation in the region, like the EU’s commitment to cut GHG emissions 55% below 1990 levels by 2030, demand for rail freight will soar in the coming years, supported by ongoing investment from the European Commission.
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Revenue
€48.4bn
Employees
708k
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.
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Biggest companies in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DB Cargo AG | 5,573.6 | -55.7 | -1.0 | |
Rail Cargo Austria AG | 2,061.3 | 36.6 | 1.8 | |
Société Nationale SNCF SA | 43,545.3 | 2,545.3 | 5.8 |
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Freight Rail Transport in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe in 2024?
The market size of the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe is €48.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry in 2024?
There are 4,291 businesses in the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 6.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 6.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Freight Rail Transport market in Europe?
The biggest companies operating in the Freight Rail Transport market in Europe are DB Cargo AG, Rail Cargo Austria AG and Société Nationale SNCF SA
What does the Freight Rail Transport in Europe include?
National transport and International transport are part of the Freight Rail Transport industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe?
The company holding the most market share in Europe is DB Cargo AG.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Freight Rail Transport industry is Russia.
How competitive is the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Freight Rail Transport industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Freight Rail Transport in Austria
- Freight Rail Transport in Romania
- Freight Rail Transport in Norway
- Freight Rail Transport in Italy
- Freight Rail Transport in Poland
- Freight Rail Transport in Ireland
- Freight Rail Transport in Latvia
- Freight Rail Transport in Luxembourg
- Freight Rail Transport in Russia
- Freight Rail Transport in Slovakia
- Freight Rail Transport in Hungary
- Freight Rail Transport in Turkey
- Freight Rail Transport in Finland
- Freight Rail Transport in Croatia
- Freight Rail Transport in Portugal
- Freight Rail Transport in Czechia
- Freight Rail Transport in Serbia
- Freight Rail Transport in Belgium
- Freight Rail Transport in Switzerland
- Freight Rail Transport in Sweden
- Freight Rail Transport in Bulgaria
- Freight Rail Transport in Spain
- Freight Rail Transport in France
- Freight Rail Transport in Lithuania
- Freight Rail Transport in the Netherlands
- Freight Rail Transport in Denmark
- Freight Rail Transport in Estonia
- Freight Rail Transport in Slovenia
- Freight Rail Transport in Europe
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry transport freight via rail on both mainline rail networks and short-line freight railroads across Europe. The industry does not include cargo handling, warehousing and storing goods, or railroad infrastructure operations.
Related Terms
MODAL SHIFTTRANS-EUROPEAN TRANSPORT NETWORKMULTIMODAL TRANSPORTWhat's included in this industry?
National transport International transport Transit servicesCompanies
DB Cargo AGRail Cargo Austria AGSociété Nationale SNCF SAIndustry Code
4912 - Freight rail transport in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
The European rail freight industry suffers from intense external competition
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2024 Revenue CAGR
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Employees in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Business in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Profit in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Obstacles hinder international freight transport growth. Delivering freight across Europe requires a new train driver with no uniform EU track width – barriers that do not concern road freight transport.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2024)
- IVA (2024)
- Enterprises (2024)
- Employment (2024)
- Exports (2024)
- Imports (2024)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Competition in individual regions is low. Once train operating companies win a contract, they have a natural monopoly on their area, limiting internal competition.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2024)
- Revenue (2024)
- Profit (2024)
- Profit Margin (2024)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for DB Cargo AG
- Countries of operation for Rail Cargo Austria AG
- Countries of operation for Société Nationale SNCF SA
- Countries of operation for PKP Cargo SA
- Countries of operation for Merceitalia Rail Srl
- Countries of operation for SBB Cargo AG
- Countries of operation for Ceské dráhy Group
- Countries of operation for LINEAS NV/SA
- Countries of operation for Freightliner Group Ltd
- Countries of operation for Renfe Mercancías SME, SA
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Harmonised regulations improve efficiency. EU railways (interoperability) regulations ensure standard Technical Specifications for Interoperability apply across Europe's railways and establish a formal European verification and authorisation process for placing new, upgraded or renewed infrastructure or rolling stock in service.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Decreasing employment lowers wage costs. Greater automation in the rail freight industry has kept the industry immune to European labour shortages.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Freight Rail Transport in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and boottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2024)
- Business Growth (2024)
- Job Growth (2024)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2024)
- Imports/Demand (2024)
- Exports/Revenue (2024)
- Revenue per Employee (2024)
- Wages/Revenue (2024)
- Employees per Establishment (2024)
- Average Wage (2024)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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