Akiem and Lineas renew their partnership for four years
Brussels, June 16, 2025 - Akiem, the European leader in the rental and maintenance of locomotives and passenger trains, and Lineas, the largest private freight operator in Europe, have renewed their partnership with new multi-year contracts covering the leasing of Prima BB27000, BB37000 and BB75000 locomotives and are continuing their joint ambition to promote modal shift.
Mainly carried out by trucks, road freight transport currently accounts for around 10% of CO2 emissions in Europe and 13% in France, according to ADEME, and causes significant public health problems and heavy congestion on road infrastructure. With freight transport in Europe expected to grow by 30% by 2030, the situation is likely to deteriorate rapidly without corrective measures.
In light of this alarming situation, the development of rail transport appears to be an essential solution, regardless of the mode of propulsion. By transferring a larger share of freight transport to rail, the carbon footprint can be significantly reduced and road traffic eased.
It is in this context that Akiem, the European leader in locomotive leasing and maintenance, and Lineas, the largest private freight operator in Europe, are renewing their partnership.
Two committed players
Akiem's Locomotive Leasing business offers rail operators essential flexibility by providing solutions tailored to their specific traction and interoperability needs with a fleet of over 750 locomotives. This equipment is rigorously maintained and complies with the regulatory requirements and infrastructure of each network on which players wish to operate.
Lineas places the modal shift to rail at the heart of its model. With the most extensive private rail network in Europe, Lineas is able to offer its customers fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly transport solutions. Thanks to numerous daily connections across the continent, Lineas offers a high-performance and sustainable alternative to road transport.
Locomotive leasing contract renewed until 2030
In 2024, Lineas leased 32 Prima locomotives developed by Alstom from Akiem and operated them on the French rail network, both in their electric version (Prima BB27000 and BB37000) and in their diesel version (Prima BB75000). the latter enabling modal shift to non-electrified tracks and a sixfold reduction in energy consumption compared to road transport. In 2025, Lineas will increase the size of its fleet leased from Akiem from 32 to 39 locomotives across these two fleets, as part of a four-year multi-year commitment.
"We are extremely honored by this new contract with Lineas, which continues and develops a partnership that began nearly 15 years ago. We intend to provide Lineas with ever-improving service in terms of cost, reliability, flexibility, and safety. Our offer is based on our fleet of Prima Alstom locomotives, in which we have invested heavily with a major overhaul program and a new maintenance system. With Lineas, we are consolidating our position as industry leader and helping to strengthen the competitiveness of rail in the freight transport sector.“ - Fabien Rochefort, CEO of Akiem.
”We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with the Akiem teams. This renewal demonstrates the confidence we have in their expertise and the quality of their services. We are able to offer our customers increasingly efficient and competitive rail freight solutions. We are convinced that the collaboration with Akiem will enable us to accelerate our development and strengthen our position in the freight transport market." - Erik Van Ockenburg, CEO of Lineas.
About Akiem
Akiem is one of Europe's leading providers of services to rail operators, manufacturers, and local authorities. The company offers a fleet of 750 locomotives and 42 passenger vehicles, as well as solutions covering the entire rolling stock value chain. Akiem has more than 90 customers and is present in 22 European countries. The majority of its 400 employees are based in France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
Akiem has a comprehensive industrial ecosystem, certified as an ECM (Entity in Charge of Maintenance), which relies on a pan-European network of workshops and large stocks of spare parts for the maintenance of the rolling stock supplied to its customers.
Akiem is owned by CDPQ, a global investment group strongly committed to the development of low-carbon infrastructure.
About Lineas
Lineas is Europe's largest private rail freight company. Under the motto “We decarbonize your supply chain,” the company helps its customers reduce their CO2 emissions and offers a sustainable solution with daily, reliable connections across the continent.
In recent years, the company has developed a unique, customer-focused and uncompromising approach that is characteristic of its entrepreneurial spirit. For example, its customers can benefit from MyLineas, an exclusive tool that allows them to track their goods in real time.
Lineas has nearly 1,600 talented and passionate employees in Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, including more than 500 national and international drivers. The company has 240 locomotives and 6,200 wagons.
Lineas is headquartered in Brussels and is supported by its long-standing shareholders, Argos Wityu and SFPIM.