Lineas and Novelis enhance their logistics strategy with the deployment of EURO9000 hybrid locomotives in Germany, aiming to improve environmental performance and network flexibility amid Europe’s push for greener freight transport.
Lineas and Novelis have taken another step in a logistics relationship increasingly shaped by decarbonisation, with the rail freight operator deploying EURO9000 hybrid locomotives for traffic in Germany.
The move was presented at a meeting in Göttingen, where teams from both companies gathered alongside Manfred Burk, who has recently been named Lineas’ country manager for Germany. According to the companies, the locomotives are already being used on Novelis-related flows and are intended to improve both network flexibility and environmental performance on routes that are only partly electrified.
The EURO9000 units are designed to run on electric power and to switch to diesel when needed, allowing full trains to continue across non-electrified sections without changing traction. That makes them particularly useful in cross-border industrial rail corridors, where infrastructure conditions can vary sharply from one segment to the next. Lineas says the technology should allow a greater share of each journey to be completed under electric traction, cutting fuel use and improving reliability.
For Novelis, the development fits into a wider supply-chain strategy built around rail. The aluminium producer has previously said it moves aluminium ingots, coils and scrap between European sites by rail under a strategic logistics contract with Lineas, with more than 1,000 freight trains a year involved. Novelis says rail now accounts for around 95% of intercompany shipments within its European network, underlining how central the mode has become to its internal logistics.
The environmental case is equally important. Based on current traffic volumes, the companies estimate the new locomotives could save about 1,762 tonnes of CO₂e a year. That sits alongside Novelis’ broader ambition to lower the carbon intensity of its products and operations, including its “Novelis 3×30” goal to become the lowest-emission flat rolled products provider.
Roland Leder, vice president of supply chain at Novelis Europe, said sustainability and operational performance needed to advance together, adding that expanding rail use remained a key lever for reducing emissions across the company’s European supply chain. Luc Pirenne, Lineas’ chief commercial officer, said the deployment showed how rail innovation can deliver both efficiency and environmental gains while supporting industrial customers with dependable freight services.
For Lineas, the project also reinforces its position in Germany, a market the company views as strategically important as it pushes to widen its international reach and strengthen its claim to be Europe’s most reliable freight railway undertaking. In practice, the Novelis work shows how industrial decarbonisation is increasingly being shaped not just by cleaner production, but by the quieter optimisation of the freight networks that connect factories, recyclers and end markets across the continent.
- https://container-news.com/lineas-and-novelis-strengthen-rail-freight-partnership/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://newsroom.lineas.net/lineas-and-novelis-strengthen-strategic-rail-freight-partnership-with-the-deployment-of-new-euro9000-locomotives – Lineas and Novelis have enhanced their rail freight collaboration by deploying advanced EURO9000 locomotives in Germany. These locomotives, featuring both electric and diesel traction, offer operational flexibility on electrified and non-electrified lines. This advancement is expected to reduce CO₂e emissions by approximately 1,762 tonnes annually, aligning with Novelis’ sustainability goals. The partnership underscores the commitment to reliable and efficient industrial logistics across Europe. The event in Göttingen was attended by teams from both companies, including Manfred Burk, Lineas’ newly appointed Country Manager for Germany.
- https://novelis.com/news/novelis-signs-strategic-rail-logistics-contract/ – Novelis has signed a strategic rail logistics contract with Lineas to strengthen its European freight network. The agreement ensures the transport of aluminum ingots, coils, and scrap by rail between Novelis’ European locations. This partnership involves over 1,000 freight trains per year, significantly reducing CO₂e emissions compared to road transport. Rail transport accounts for 95% of intercompany shipments between Novelis’ European facilities, highlighting its importance in the company’s logistics strategy.
- https://lineas.net/en – Lineas is Europe’s largest private rail freight operator, headquartered in Belgium with operations in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Established as the successor to the Belgian National Railway Company’s freight division, Lineas offers a range of rail transport and logistics solutions. The company is committed to providing reliable and sustainable mobility across Europe, aiming to be the most reliable railway undertaking in the region.
- https://lineas.net/en/about-us/our-mission/ – Lineas’ mission is to be Europe’s most reliable railway undertaking, offering rail products and services that exceed customer needs. The company aims to shift transport from road to rail, contributing to sustainability and addressing mobility issues. With rail freight accounting for a significant portion of Europe’s CO₂ emissions, Lineas advocates for a modal shift towards rail to achieve the EU’s European Green Deal objectives.
- https://newsroom.lineas.net/lineas-and-railpool-extend-their-partnership-to-strengthen-the-flexibility-of-rail-freight-in-europe – Lineas and Railpool have extended their partnership for another six years, allowing Lineas to operate 33 electric locomotives from Railpool’s fleet. This extension provides Lineas with the flexibility to adapt to evolving logistics needs across Europe. The collaboration aims to offer reliable, modern, and sustainable rail solutions, enhancing the competitiveness of rail transport in the region.
- https://www.alcircle.com/news/novelis-partners-with-lineas-for-the-rail-transport-of-aluminium-across-europe-117630 – Novelis has partnered with Lineas for the rail transport of aluminum across Europe. Rail accounts for about 95% of intercompany shipments between Novelis’ European facilities, making it the company’s primary mode of internal material transport. The partnership involves moving over 1,000 trains per year across the rail network in Germany, ensuring freight transport between the company’s European production sites. Compared to road transport, rail transport is estimated to save approximately 78% of CO₂e emissions.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on June 25, 2026, detailing the deployment of EURO9000 locomotives by Lineas and Novelis in Germany. The earliest known publication date of similar content is June 22, 2026, from Lineas’ official newsroom. ([newsroom.lineas.net](https://newsroom.lineas.net/lineas-and-novelis-strengthen-strategic-rail-freight-partnership-with-the-deployment-of-new-euro9000-locomotives?utm_source=openai)) The Container News article appears to be a republished version of the Lineas press release, with minimal additional information. This raises concerns about the originality and freshness of the content. The presence of the same quotes and figures in both sources suggests a lack of independent reporting. Given that the content was republished across low-quality sites, this further diminishes the freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Roland Leder, Vice President of Supply Chain Novelis Europe, and Luc Pirenne, Chief Commercial Officer at Lineas. These quotes are identical to those found in the Lineas press release dated June 22, 2026. ([newsroom.lineas.net](https://newsroom.lineas.net/lineas-and-novelis-strengthen-strategic-rail-freight-partnership-with-the-deployment-of-new-euro9000-locomotives?utm_source=openai)) The repetition of these quotes across multiple sources without independent verification raises concerns about the originality and reliability of the reporting. The lack of new or independently sourced quotes further diminishes the credibility of the article.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
The article originates from Container News, a niche publication focusing on container shipping and logistics. While it provides industry-specific news, its reach and influence are limited compared to major news organisations. The reliance on a single, specialised source for the information, which appears to be a republished press release, raises concerns about the independence and reliability of the reporting. The lack of corroboration from other reputable news outlets further diminishes the source’s reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about the deployment of EURO9000 locomotives by Lineas and Novelis in Germany are plausible and align with known industry trends towards sustainable rail freight solutions. However, the lack of independent verification and the reliance on a single source for this information raise questions about the accuracy and completeness of the reporting. The absence of corroborating reports from other reputable news outlets diminishes the overall credibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article’s reliance on a single, niche source that appears to be a republished press release, coupled with the lack of independent verification and corroboration from other reputable news outlets, raises significant concerns about its credibility and reliability. The repetition of quotes and figures without new or independently sourced information further diminishes the article’s trustworthiness. Given these issues, the content cannot be considered reliable for publication.
