Wikipedia

Lineas

(Redirected from SNCB Logistics)

Lineas is Europe's largest private rail freight operator.[1] Headquartered in Belgium, it also operates from various sites across France, Germany and the Netherlands. The company, that was established as the successor to the freight division of the Belgian National Railway Company (NMBS / SNCB) and privatized in the context of the liberalization of the rail freight market, has rapidly expanded its operations across Europe. Shareholders are the Federal Holding and Investment Company (Federale Participatie- en Investeringsmaatschappij) and private equity group Argos Wityu.

Lineas
Company typePrivate
IndustryRail Freight
Founded2011
Headquarters
Brussels
,
Belgium
Key people
Bernard Gustin (executive chairman)
ProductsRail freight transport, logistics solutions
Revenue€500 million (2023)
OwnerFederal Holding and Investment Company, Argos Wityu
Number of employees
1700
Websitewww.lineas.net

The primary business activity of Lineas is the transport of goods by rail.

Operations

edit

Lineas operates an extensive rail network across Europe, with key operational hubs in Flanders and Wallonia in Belgium, alongside major logistics centers in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The company has strong ties with the largest North Sea Ports (Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Terneuzen) and plays a crucial role in connecting Europe’s industrial heart and largest chemical clusters. As a cross-border rail transport operator, Lineas provides its own traction in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Moreover, the company has a presence on both the French and German sides of the Rhine.[citation needed]

Products and Services

edit

Products

edit

Lineas offers a wide range of rail freight transport services. These include:

  • Block trains: Dedicated trains for large-volume transport.
  • Single Wagon Load: Flexibility for smaller loads.
  • Intermodal trains: Transport of standardized containers
  • First Mile / Last Mile: Efficient loading and unloading at sidings
  • Ad hoc / Spot trains: On-demand services for immediate transport needs.
  • Value-added Services

Main industry segments

edit

Lineas serves a variety of industries. The key industry segments include:

  • Automotive
  • Steel
  • Chemicals
  • Industrial and Consumer Goods
  • Container Transport
  • Special Transports

Innovations and Technologies

edit

Lineas invested heavily in technological innovation in recent years. The company’s digital platform, MyLineas, allows customers to manage their transports in real time. Key features include:

  • Direct access to planned transports.
  • Online planning & check in
  • Real-time updates and estimated time of arrival (ETA) information.
  • An interactive map for visualizing rail freight operations.
  • An intuitive dashboard with embedded reporting, accessible across devices.[citation needed]

Corporate Affairs

edit

In recent years, Lineas has focused on promoting a level playing field within the rail freight sector and between rail and road transport. To address competition with major State-owned rail operators and reduce potential market distortions, Lineas has emphasized the need for fair competition measures. Additionally, the company advocates for the removal of tax advantages granted to road transport and supports the internalization of external costs, such as road congestion, pollution, and safety-related expenses, across all transport modes.[citation needed]

Management

edit

Lineas is led by Bernard Gustin, supported by a team of executives.

The Executive Leadership Team is composed of:

  • Bernard Gustin, Executive Chairman and CFO a.i.
  • Alban François, Operations
  • Jan Luyten, Human Resources
  • Anne Grandjean, Public Affairs & Communication
  • Mark Geuens, Data & Information
  • Luc Pirenne, Sales

Country Managers:

  • Jeroen Vermaelen, country manager Lineas Belgium
  • Matthieu Aernouts, country manager Lineas France
  • Katrin Kröger, country manager Lineas Germany and The Netherlands

Corporate Governance

edit

Lineas follows strict standards in corporate governance, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices.

Corporate Social Responsibility

edit

Rail freight is the most sustainable freight transport mode: 1 train removes 50 trucks from the road. Moreover, rail freight emits 6x less CO2 and 8x less air pollution, and consumes 6x less energy. By enabling the modal shift from road to rail, Lineas aims to make a positive impact on society and address issues in multiple areas, such as climate change, congestion, air quality, and health and safety. Lineas also embraces its societal responsibility towards its main stakeholders: employees, customers, partners, and shareholders. ESG objectives and priorities are integral to how the company operates and are taken on board at every stage of managerial decision-making. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework and its own strategic vision, Lineas’ ESG efforts revolve around four essential sustainability pillars:

  • Responding to climate change: The company is actively working to combat climate change, reducing its environmental footprint to protect the planet. For this purpose, Lineas has set ambitious carbon reduction targets that have been validated by the SBTi Organization.
  • Valuing human capital: Lineas considers its people as its greatest asset. The company invest in their well-being, growth, and development, creating a workplace that values and supports every individual by setting clear well-being and DEI goals.
  • Building sustainable and resilient supply chains: Lineas is committed to developing supply chains that are not only sustainable but also resilient in the face of challenges, ensuring the continuity of services. Lineas has been recognized for its governance in this area.
  • Engage and make efforts visible: Lineas believes in transparency and actively engages with its stakeholders to create positive change. The company wants its efforts to be visible and inspiring to others.

Financial Performance

edit

Annual Financials

edit

In the fiscal year 2023, Lineas reported a revenue of €500 million, reflecting strong growth in its operations.

Transformation plan

edit

In 2022, Lineas launched a transformation plan. The plan included restructuring loss-making products, a redesign of the offering focusing on corridors and an important reduction in overhead costs. Since then, the company has made significant progress and reduced its losses from €82 million in 2022 to €40.3 million in 2023. The first half of 2024 has continued this positive trend: losses were further reduced to just €5.1 million. This is also clearly reflected in the weekly customer mood, which has improved from 2.9 out of 5 in 2022 to a steady 3.5 today, with peaks reaching 4 out of 5. To achieve this, Lineas focused on 4 main actions:

  • it has simplified its offering and stopped non-profitable activities
  • it optimized its pricing and margins thanks to an improved quality of products resulting in sustainable customer satisfaction
  • it has derisked its portfolio
  • it is implementing a cost reduction program.

Stock Information

edit

As a private company, Lineas is not publicly traded.

History

edit

Lineas has undergone a dynamic transformation since its start. Below is a structured overview of its history:

2005–2011: Beginnings as B Cargo

edit

During 2005, the European Union gave the green light for the liberalisation of rail transport.[2] Following this decision, the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB) was restructured into the NMBS/SNCB-Group, consisting of three companies: NMBS/SNCB, Infrabel and NMBS/SNCB-Holding. Until 2011, rail freight transport activities were a division of NBMS/SNCB, which operated under the name B-Cargo. Under NMBS/SNCB, B-Cargo was a loss-making division.

2011: Independence as SNCB Logistics

edit

In 2011, the freight division was restructured and established as an independent entity named SNCB Logistics, though it remained entirely owned by the SNCB/NMBS Group.

2015: Privatization

edit

A pivotal year in the company’s history, SNCB Logistics became a private entity. The private equity firm Argos Wityu, in collaboration with the company’s management, acquired a 69% stake,[3] while SNCB/NMBS retained 31% ownership. This marked the beginning of a major transformation. Prior to privatisation, the company was not profitable; however, profitability soon increased.

2017: Rebranding to Lineas

edit

In early 2017, B Logistics changed its name to Lineas.,[4][5] to reflect its new identity and strategic vision. This period also saw a steady reduction in its dependency on SNCB/NMBS and Infrabel, leaving only a few essential links to serve Lineas’ operational interests.

2019: Increased private ownership

edit

Argos Wityu, alongside management, acquired an additional 21% of SNCB/NMBS shares, increasing their total stake in the company.

During 2019, Lineas also doubled the capacity on the trains in and out of Antwerp to alleviate the impact of the works on the Oosterweel Link on Belgian mobility; by the following year, the company was reportedly removing 5,300 containers every week from Antwerp's road traffic (compared to 2,600 before).[6]

2020: Recognition and resilience amid challenges

edit

In February 2020, CEO Geert Pauwels received the European Railway Award. This recognition celebrated his leadership the transformation of a loss-making division of the Belgian railways into a profitable and innovative private rail freight operator.[7]

On 9 April 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic was disrupting industries worldwide, Lineas unveiled a white locomotive, the 'Heroes Loc', in the Port of Antwerp as a tribute to frontline workers in the fight against the coronavirus. At the same time, the locomotive wanted to highlight problems in the railway sector caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]

Shortly thereafter, in response to the low water levels on the Rhine river, the company put on additional trains to ensure critical goods could be transported by rail instead of by barge.[9][10] The Belgian government issued financial support to both Lineas and the rail freight sector at this time, implementing a reduced tariff for freight trains.[11]

In 2020, a partnership between Lineas, the Dutch rail infrastructure owner ProRail, and the French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom demonstrated a highly autonomous shunting locomotive.[12][13]

2021: Strategic expansion

edit

In 2021, the Société Fédérale de Participations et d’Investissement (SFPI/FPIM) acquired SNCB/NMBS’ remaining 10% minority share, marking the end of SNCB/NMBS’ involvement.[14][15] Lineas also expanded its presence in the Dutch market through the acquisition of Independent Rail Partner (IRP), strengthening its capabilities with additional locomotives and expertise.

2022: Transformation and change in leadership

edit

A transformation plan was launched to ensure long-term growth and efficiency. Additionally, a new Executive Chairman was appointed to steer the company into its next phase.

On 1 April 2022, Lineas became the first rail company to apply a dynamic energy surcharge to all of its services; a spokesperson stated that this change was made to compensate for soaring energy prices.[16][17]

That same year, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets concluded that Lineas had been discriminated in the allocation of train paths at two emplacement yards in the Netherlands.[18]

2023: Financial restructuring

edit

Lineas initiated a capital increase project, with the first €20 million raised by existing shareholders to support its growth and restructuring plans.

Prior to 2023, Lineas, along with The Signalling Company, participated in the joint venture ERTMS Solutions. Early 2023, a 93.9% stake in the latter was acquired by Škoda Transportation. The Signalling Company has been a major supplier of Class B signaling system and European Train Control System (ETCS) equipment to various companies, including Lineas.[19]

2024: Continued investment and financial strengthening

edit

The company further consolidates its financial position with:

  • A €30 million capital increase from existing shareholders.
  • Conversion of a €34 million loan into equity.
  • Securing €46.25 million in financing from key institutions, including KBC, Belfius, PMV, and WE.

Fleet

edit

Lineas has more than 6,700 wagons and 240 locomotives.[20] During the late 2010s, the company was engaged in a fleet expansion that was largely targeted at the international freight market.[21] Throughout the 2020s, hundreds of Lineas' locomotives were being retrofitted with ETCS.[22] Starting in 2021, Lineas, Ermewa and Beacon Rail have had a long-term partnership based on the sale-and-leaseback of both diesel locomotives and wagons.[23]

Wagons

edit

Steel wagons

edit
  • Shimm(n)s for cold coils
  • Shimm(n)s for hot coils
  • Remms for slabs
 
Bombardier Traxx 29 locomotive in the Port of Antwerp

Bulk wagons

edit
  • Tads for limestone
  • Fal(n)s for coal
  • Eaos & Fas for scrap

Intermodal / container wagons

edit
  • Lgnss 40’
  • Sgnss 60’
  • Sggnss 72’
  • Sggrss 80’

Locomotives

edit

Organisation and locations

edit
 
Lineas locomotive
 
Lineas locomotives

Lineas employs about 1700 people.

The company has proclaimed its ambition to realise a ‘modal shift’ in Europe, moving freight off the road and onto rail, to improve the supply chain of companies and address societal issues caused by traditional trucking such as mobility issues, climate impact due to high carbon emissions, health hazards due to air pollution, and unnecessary road casualties.

Lineas is a member of Rail Freight Forward,[24] the coalition of European rail freight companies aiming to reduce the negative impact of freight transport on mobility, climate and the environment by shifting freight from road to rail. The coalition aims to increase the modal share of rail freight in Europe from 18% in 2020 to 30% by 2030.

Lineas is also a member of the Belgian Rail Freight Forum.[25] In France, the company is part of the 4F, the Fret Ferroviaire Français du Futur.[26] In Germany, it is a member of the NEE, the Netzwerk Europäischer Eisenbahnen.[27]

In February 2020, Lineas became a member of the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA). The coalition aims to play a role in creating a common, fully liberalised and competitive European rail freight market.[28]

In June 2020, Lineas won the Voka Sustainable Business Charter (VCDO).[29] As a result of the charter, the company was the first Belgian transport company to receive the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Certificate for Sustainable Business in October 2020.[30] Lineas was also appointed Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Pioneer for Sustainable development by the United Nations.[30]

During June 2023, Linease announced that it was combining its various Dutch businesses into a single entity.[31][32] Around the same time, the company’s two shareholders, the French investment fund Argos Wityu (90%) and the Belgian federal government (10%), are working on a first tranche of capital injection with the reported target of 20 million euros.[33][34]

References

edit
  1. ^ Byl, Roeland (18 February 2020). "Geert Pauwels (Lineas) krijgt de European Railway Award". Trends Knack. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Railway Mergers and Railway Alliances: Competition Issues" (PDF). 23 September 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ "SNCB Logistics part-privatised". International Railway Journal. May 2015. p. 15.
  4. ^ "B Logistics becomes Lineas". Today's Railways Europe. No. 258. June 2017. p. 12.
  5. ^ "B Logistics rebranded Lineas". International Railway Journal. 27 April 2017.
  6. ^ Antwerpse Televisie, ATV (10 September 2020). "Goederentreinen moeten duizenden vrachtwagens uit de Oosterweelfiles halen". ATV. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  7. ^ Vakblad voor de spoorsector, SpoorPro (19 February 2020). "Award winnende Lineas-topman: Green Deal kans voor modal shift". SpoorPro Vakblad voor de Spoorsector.
  8. ^ Van Roosbroeck, Greg (9 April 2020). "Witte locomotief om corona-helden te eren". Gazet van Antwerpen. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  9. ^ van Leijen, Majorie (4 June 2020). "Lineas provides plan B for shippers on low-water-level Rhine". railfreight.com.
  10. ^ "Lineas announces barge replacement train services". Railway Gazette International. 6 June 2020.
  11. ^ van Leijen, Majorie (15 March 2021). "Belgium reduces track access charges until end of June 2021". railfreight.com.
  12. ^ Sapién, Josephine Cordero (15 July 2020). "ProRail and Alstom to Test ATO on Shunting Locomotive". railway-news.com.
  13. ^ May, Tiana (30 November 2022). "Netherlands: Alstom Demonstrates Fully Autonomous Shunting Locomotive". railway-news.com.
  14. ^ "SNCB divests remaining stake in freight operator LineasBy". Railway Gazette International. 19 January 2021.
  15. ^ "Belgian SNCB sold the remaining stake in the cargo operator Lineas". railway.supply. 21 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Galloping energy prices are hitting rail freight operators. To compensate, Lineas introduces a dynamic energy surcharge". railtarget.eu. 21 March 2022.
  17. ^ van Leijen, Majorie (18 March 2022). "Lineas applies energy surcharge: 'we can no longer absorb the high rates'". railfreight.com.
  18. ^ van Gompel, Marieke (29 March 2022). "Lineas discrimated in train path allocation at Dutch shunting yards". railfreight.com.
  19. ^ "Lineas and ERTMS Solutions sell The Signalling Company to Škoda Group". freight-tracks.com. 22 February 2023.
  20. ^ "B Logistics renamed Lineas as it aims for modal shift". Railway Gazette International. 27 April 2017.
  21. ^ van Leijen, Majorie (9 October 2017). "Lineas plans massive expansion international fleet". railfreight.com.
  22. ^ Raimondi, Marco (22 February 2023). "Skoda to retrofit 110 Lineas locomotives with ETCS". railfreight.com.
  23. ^ Papatolios, Nikos (19 November 2021). "Lineas, Ermewa and Beacon enter long-term equipment partnership". railfreight.com.
  24. ^ Rail Freight Forward (n.d.). "Rail Freight Forward European Rail Freight Vision 2030". Rail Freight Forward. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  25. ^ Belgian Rail Freight Forum (n.d.). "Actieplan voor méér spoor. Voor klimaat. Mobiliteit. Milieu". Belgian Rail Freight Forum. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  26. ^ Vinas, Jean-Marie (n.d.). "4F: Une coalition inédite pour préparer le fret ferroviaire français du futur". Association Française du Rail (AFRA). Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  27. ^ Netzwerk Europäischer Eisenbahnen e.V. (n.d.). "Netzwerk Europäischer Eisenbahnen e.V." Netzwerk Europäischer Eisenbahnen e.V.
  28. ^ Cordero Sapién, Josephine (28 February 2020). "Lineas Joins European Rail Freight Association". Railway-News. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  29. ^ Vlaams netwerk voor Ondernemingen en Kamers van koophandel in Alle sectoren, Voka (24 June 2020). "Digitale uitreiking VCDO-awards bij Voka Vlaams-Brabant". Voka. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  30. ^ a b Vlaams netwerk voor Ondernemingen en Kamers van koophandel in Alle sectoren, Voka (27 October 2020). "Vlaams-Brabantse bedrijven ontvangen VN-duurzaamheidscertificaat 'SDG Pioneer'". Voka. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  31. ^ Cordero Sapién, Josephine (30 April 2021). "Freight Operator Lineas Acquires Independent Rail Partner". railway-news.com.
  32. ^ "Lineas merges Dutch subsidiaries". International Railway Journal. 6 June 2023.
  33. ^ Joris, Luc (3 May 2023). "Rail freight company Lineas gets €20 million capital injection".
  34. ^ "Lineas looking for major injection of capital". railtech.com. 18 October 2022.
edit

  Media related to Lineas at Wikimedia Commons

Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Lineas&oldid=1262254228"