The transaction enables Akiem to significantly strengthen its balance sheet by extending and diversifying its debt maturities. It supports the Group’s growth strategy in Europe, focusing on the leasing and maintenance of the rolling stock.

The refinancing is structured around a combination of 7- and 10-year bank term loans and private placements issued to both European and US-based investors, with long tenors of 15 and 20 years. Following this transaction, all of Akiem’s debt is now green-labelled, reaffirming the Group’s commitment to sustainable financing.

As part of the refinancing, the Group’s growth plan in the leasing and maintenance of locomotives and passenger trains will be supported by a CAPEX facility increased to €700 million.

Akiem has expanded its banking pool, which now comprises 14 leading European banks, as well as four new private placement investors, reaffirming the financial markets’ renewed confidence in the Group’s business model.
Akiem was advised on this transaction by:

• Crédit Agricole CIB, as sole financial and rating advisor and joint private placement agent;
• ING, as green advisor, joint private placement agent and hedge coordinator;
• Linklaters Paris, Akiem’s legal advisor, and Clifford Chance (Paris) LLP, counsel to the lenders.

The project was led by the Akiem Group Finance team under the supervision of Renato De Lussu, Chief Financial Officer, with Stefan Gout, Head of New Debt Issuances, and Clémence Dubois, Head of Legal and Company Secretary.

Press release