The Saudi state-owned shipping company Bahri pulled out of the race for Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) logistics arm DB Schenker. The two remaining possible buyers are Danish shipping giant DSV and a coalition formed by investment funds CVC Capital Partners, Carlyle Group and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Bahri reportedly submitted the highest offer for DB Schenker, estimated at 15 billion euros, as Reuters recently reported. RailFreight.com contacted DB, which said it will not comment on speculations as “the sale process is confidential”. The DB spokesperson added that they are currently in the due diligence phase.

“The condition for a sale remains that it must be economically advantageous for Deutsche Bahn”. Bahri was contacted as well, but no response was provided as of yet. A final decision for the sale of DB Schenker seems to be expected for the end of August. At the beginning of July, Danish shipping giant Maersk also withdrew its bid, claiming that such a move would not have been the right thing for business.

The sale of DB Schenker

DB Schenker was put on sale due to it being one of DB’s most profitable branches and the mother company needs to cover outstanding debts, estimated at around 34 billion euros. The sale of DB’s logistics arm was announced in December 2023 and was labelled as the largest logistics sale of the 21st century. It now remains to be seen which of the two final contestants will become the new owner of DB Schenker and what their plan for its future will be.