The German transport ministry has increased the available funds for single wagonload subsidies in 2026 by €84 million. It hopes to support the segment, which is responsible for 18% of all rail freight traffic in the country, and encourage a modal shift from road to rail.
The funding is designed to be competitive, says the ministry, and available to companies operating on both federal and non-federal networks.
“Promoting single wagonload traffic is a crucial pillar for competitive rail freight in our country”, commented the newly appointed Transport Minister Steffen Bilger. “I have therefore reached an agreement with Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil to increase funding for single wagonload traffic by up to €84 million this year. We can achieve this together by utilizing so-called budget surpluses. This will bring the total funding available for single wagonload traffic to up to €384 million in 2026.”
Single wagonload (SWL) operations are particularly important for Germany’s chemical, steel and automotive industries, according to the transport ministry. It serves 2,000 freight transport locations.
‘SWL indispensable’, but other subsidies evidently are not
“Single wagonload traffic is indispensable for many companies – it enables rail freight transport even for smaller quantities and provides companies with comprehensive access to the rail network”, Bilger added. “Because it is very complex and expensive – yet an essential component of rail transport chains for businesses – our funding allows for targeted support of the German economy and climate-friendly freight transport.”
While the German government is looking to increase support for single wagonload operations, it is retracting support for rail freight more generally. Currently, the plan is to reduce track access charges subsidies to €200 million in 2027. In 2026, Germany supported the sector with €345 million.
The German private rail freight association Die Güterbahnen has said that the subsidy cut “sends the wrong signal”.
“It preempts a fundamental reform that would guarantee competitive track access charges compared to trucks,” said Neele Wesseln, managing director of the association, earlier. “If the subsidies are cut now, the federal government will make rail freight more expensive — and cause a further shift of freight from trains to trucks.”