Akiem and Lineas Renew Their Partnership for a Four-Year Plan
Promoting Modal Shift to Rail
Mainly carried out by trucks, road freight transport currently accounts for approximately 10% of CO2 emissions in Europe, and 13% in France according to ADEME, and causes significant disruption to public health and severe congestion on road infrastructure. With freight transport projected to grow by 30% in Europe by 2030, the situation is likely to deteriorate rapidly without corrective measures. Faced with this alarming situation, the development of rail transport appears to be an essential solution, regardless of the mode of propulsion. By shifting a larger share of freight transport to rail, the carbon footprint can be significantly reduced and road traffic streamlined. 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 essential flexibility to rail operators by providing solutions tailored to their specific traction and interoperability needs with a fleet of over 750 locomotives. This equipment, rigorously maintained, complies with the regulatory requirements and infrastructure of each network on which operators wish to operate. Lineas places modal shift to rail at the heart of its model. With its private rail network, the most extensive in Europe, Lineas is able to offer its customers fast, reliable, and environmentally friendly transport solutions. With numerous daily connections across the continent, Lineas offers a high-performance and sustainable alternative to road transport.
A locomotive leasing contract renewed until 2030
In 2024, Lineas leased 32 Prima locomotives developed by Alstom to Akiem and operated them on the French rail network. These locomotives, both electric (Prima BB27000 and BB37000) and diesel (Prima BB75000), enable modal shift to non-electrified lines and reduce energy consumption by a factor of six compared to road transport. In 2025, Lineas will increase the size of its fleet leased to Akiem, increasing the number of locomotives from 32 to 39 across these two fleets, as part of a four-year multi-year commitment.
We are extremely honored by this new contract with Lineas, which extends and develops a partnership relationship initiated nearly 15 years ago. We intend to provide Lineas with ever-improving service in terms of cost, reliability, flexibility, and safety. Our offering is based on our Prima Alstom fleet, in which we have invested heavily with a major overhaul program and a new maintenance system. With Lineas, we are consolidating our position as a leader in the sector and helping to strengthen the competitiveness of rail in the freight transport sector.
We are very pleased to continue our collaboration with the Akiem teams. This renewal demonstrates the confidence we place in their expertise and the quality of their services. We are able to offer our customers ever more 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.