Deutsche Bahn to start joint logistics venture with Russia’s RZD

Deutsche Bahn to start joint logistics venture with Russia’s RZD    German state-owned rail operator and logistics giant Deutsche Bahn has agreed to start a joint logistics venture with Russian railroad RZD, aimed at strengthening rail transport between Russia and the European Union.
   The agreement was signed Thursday in front of Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.
   The new joint company, which is expected to be operational in a few months, will cover the entire logistics chain for rail freight transport, linking Russia with Deutsche Bahn’s global logistics network.
   “Russia is a growing market, the exchange of goods with the EU is on the increase and Russia is also a land bridge to China. These are the reasons why we want to boost our transport and logistics activities in this area,” said Hartmut Mehdorn Deutsche Bahn’s chairman and chief executive officer.
   Deutsche Bahn’s international logistics subsidiary Schenker has been active in Russia for years, with its own national corporations, and offers the entire range of land transport, air freight and sea freight, as well as the associated logistics services. Schenker is developing its own land transport network for distributing goods throughout Russia.