POLAND: Deutsche Bahn announced on September 24 that it had increased its stake in Polish freight operator PTK Holding to 95%. DB was already a shareholder in the Zabrze-based company as a result of its acquisition of PCC Logistics, completed on July 21.

PTK Holding SA has 2 000 staff and carried 7·2 million tonnes of freight in 2008, producing revenues of €90m. It specialises in operating sidings at mines and power stations, and offers cross-border transport to Ukraine and Belarus. It also operates container terminals and provides maintenance services, and co-owns the Baltic port of Swinoujscie.

'With the acquisition of a majority stake in PTK Holding, we will now be able to further strategically expand and effectively structure our network in Poland, and improve the range of services we provide for our customers,' said Dr Christoph Wolff, who heads DB Schenker Rail's East region.

'In the next few months we will be merging our affiliated companies in Poland to create a single market presence. PTK Holding is a powerful company and fits perfectly into the portfolio of the PCC Logistics Group.'