In a major leadership shake-up, Deutsche Bahn (DB) has decided to part ways with DB Cargo chief Sigrid Nikutta, who will officially step down from her position on October 30, 2025, according to Der Spiegel. The move follows mounting criticism of her leadership style and failed restructuring strategy aimed at turning around the struggling freight division.
Background: Why Sigrid Nikutta Is Leaving Deutsche Bahn
Sigrid Nikutta, who has led DB Cargo, the freight arm of Deutsche Bahn, since 2020, had been under pressure for months. Both internal stakeholders and labor unions had raised concerns about her management approach and the viability of her restructuring plan, which aimed to restore profitability to DB Cargo after years of mounting losses.
A confidential internal DB audit report, obtained by Der Spiegel, concluded that Nikutta’s plan was “objectively unsuitable” for resolving the freight division’s ongoing crisis or achieving competitiveness in the long term. The report stated that while recovery potential exists, Nikutta’s strategy would not be sufficient to address the core structural problems facing DB Cargo.
EU Rules Add Pressure to Deutsche Bahn
A major factor in Nikutta’s departure is the European Commission’s decision to prohibit Deutsche Bahn from using state funds to cover DB Cargo’s losses after 2025. Starting in 2026, DB Cargo must operate profitably and independently — without financial support from the parent company.
Currently, DB Cargo, which plays a key role in Europe’s freight transport network, has consistently relied on taxpayer-funded bailouts to offset losses. However, with the EU tightening its oversight on state aid, DB Cargo will need to generate its own profits or face potential restructuring or sale.
If the freight division fails to meet profitability targets, Der Spiegel reports that Deutsche Bahn could be forced to split or sell parts of DB Cargo, marking one of the biggest reorganizations in the company’s history.
Criticism Over Management and Strategy
Within the company, Nikutta’s leadership had become increasingly divisive. While she was praised early on for promoting sustainability and digital transformation, critics argued that her restructuring measures were too slow and did not produce tangible improvements in efficiency or service quality.
Labor unions such as the EVG (Eisenbahn- und Verkehrsgewerkschaft) had previously demanded her removal, citing a lack of progress in reversing DB Cargo’s operational decline.
Insiders also pointed to strained relations between management and staff, with morale dipping across several key logistics hubs in Germany.
The Future of DB Cargo and Deutsche Bahn
As DB Cargo Chefin Sigrid Nikutta prepares to exit, Deutsche Bahn is expected to announce an interim management team to oversee freight operations. The company’s supervisory board will soon decide on a new leadership structure, potentially merging DB Cargo’s logistics and digital operations to streamline performance.
Industry analysts believe that Nikutta’s departure could open the door to strategic partnerships or partial privatization, especially as Deutsche Bahn seeks to stabilize its freight business under mounting political and financial pressure.
Despite these challenges, experts note that the market outlook for rail freight remains positive, driven by the EU’s push to reduce carbon emissions and shift more cargo from road to rail.
Sigrid Nikutta’s Legacy
Before joining Deutsche Bahn, Nikutta served as CEO of Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), where she earned praise for improving the city’s public transport network. Her transition to DB Cargo, however, proved more turbulent.
While her tenure was marked by ambitious reforms, the financial reality of DB Cargo’s losses and the EU’s strict new rules ultimately curtailed her efforts.
For Deutsche Bahn, her exit underscores the urgent need to reform its freight operations and deliver on profitability goals without relying on state aid.
Conclusion
The departure of Sigrid Nikutta Deutsche Bahn’s freight chief marks a significant moment for the national rail operator. As DB Cargo faces new financial constraints and regulatory challenges, Deutsche Bahn must find a successor capable of navigating complex EU compliance rules while driving long-term transformation.
Nikutta’s exit highlights the tension between public accountability, market competition, and internal reform — a balance that will determine the future of Germany’s rail freight industry.
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