Insight in our history
75 years on the rails. At home in 30 countries
Founding year
Headquarter
Workshops
Milestones in our company's history
Since its founding in 1951, VTG has continuously evolved, from a state-owned enterprise to a stock corporation, from Hamburg to the world. Discover the key milestones of our growth, shaped by innovation and strategic decisions.
1872
In Austria, the launch of EEL AG as the first railroad wagon hire company marks the birth of private-sector wagon leasing as a business model in Europe.
1892
Austrian railway company OEVA is established as the successor to EEL in Vienna, opening for business with 459 special-purpose wagons.
1951
VTG Vereinigte Tanklager und Transportmittel GmbH is founded in Hamburg as a state-owned company.
1961
The company is privatized as part of its sale to Preussag (today the TUI Group).
1981
VTG engages in its first tank container activities.
1992
VTG acquires a majority stake in Transpetrol GmbH, an international railway forwarding company for oil and gas.
1994
VTG acquires an interest in TRANSWAGGON AG and a majority stake in shipping and transport company Lehnkering Montan AG (later Lehnkering AG).
1997
VTG Tanktainer GmbH is founded.
1999
The logistics activities of Lehnkering AG and VTG Vereinigte Tanklager und Transportmittel GmbH are merged to form VTG-Lehnkering AG.
2002
VTG acquires the European wagon leasing activities of the Australian Brambles Group (these activities were originally part of the former OEVA company). The move adds around 23,000 extra wagons to the VTG fleet.
2004
VTG increases its stake in Transpetrol GmbH to 74.9 percent. After reorganization into five divisions – Wagon Leasing, Railway Forwarding, General Freight Wagons, Tank Containers and Repair Workshops – the Group’s bulk and special logistics activities are sold off. The company is renamed VTG Aktiengesellschaft (VTG AG).
2004-2007
Acquisition of the freight wagon and tank container fleet of French company Algeco S.A. plus the wagons of Austria's OMV AG, Swiss company Rexwal Finance S.A. and the Swedish-owned firms Railtrans and Nordwaggon AG adds around 6,500 more wagons to strengthen the Group’s wagon leasing activities.
2005
TUI sells VTG to Compagnie Européenne de Wagons S.à.r.l.
2006
To prepare for its initial public offering (IPO), VTG reorganizes itself into three new divisions: Railcar, Rail Logistics and Tank Container Logistics.
2007
VTG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, acquires British tank container leasing company Tankspan Leasing Ltd. (including 3,100 tank containers) and increases its stake in VOTG Tanktainer GmbH from 58.35 to 100 percent.
2008
By acquiring Texas Railcar Leasing Company Ltd. (complete with around 1,000 wagons), VTG enters the North American wagon leasing business. It also launches VTG Russia as an “OOO”, sets up a VOTG Tanktainer GmbH joint venture with China’s COSCO Logistics and purchases the wagon building activities of the Graaff Group. VTG’s share is quoted in the select SDAX index.
2010
VTG acquires roughly 1,800 freight wagons and enters the European grain transport market. It also takes over a 100 percent stake in rail logistics company TMF.
2011
The exhibition “A look back to the future” in Hamburg commemorates VTG’s 60th anniversary. The company doubles its North American wagon fleet by buying the business activities of American wagon leasing company SC Rail Leasing America. Its American operations are renamed VTG Rail, Inc. By snapping up the Railcraft Group, VTG also enters the CIS and Baltic markets with a fleet of some 870 wagons. The next step is to acquire Italian competitor Sogerent, which has about 300 petroleum wagons.
2014
VTG’s rail logistics activities are merged with parts of Kühne + Nagel’s rail activities.
2015
The takeover of Ahaus Alstätter Eisenbahn AG (AAE) ramps the fleet up to more than 80,000 wagons.
2017
VTG RailTrain is launched as an inclusive apprenticeship program.
2018
The wagon fleet tops the 90,000 mark following the acquisition of NACCO.
2019
Having floated its shares in 2007, VTG Aktiengesellschaft now opts to delist its shares.
2020
VTG bundles its digital offerings under the newly developed traigo customer platform.
2021
VTG sells its North American wagon leasing business and Tanktainer’s overseas activities.
2022
In Vienna, VTG celebrates 150 years of private-sector wagon leasing in Europe. VTG is continuing its business activities as a limited liability company under German law (GmbH).
2023
VTG is completing the transition from a publicly listed company to a private company. The delisting marks an important step in the company’s history and opens up new perspectives for its strategic development.
2026
VTG celebrates its 75th anniversary and moves into a new office building. Both milestones underscore the company’s successful development and create room for further growth and modern collaboration.