End of an Era: Fret SNCF Dissolves Amid EU Pressure and Historic Rail Reshuffle

It's official: Fret SNCF, a symbol of France’s rail freight industry, is no more. Replaced by Hexafret and Technis, this transformation stems from EU rulings and market liberalization.

France’s national rail freight operator, Fret SNCF, officially ceased operations on January 1, 2025, making way for two successor companies.

The restructuring comes from an investigation by the European Commission, which scrutinized whether Fret SNCF received illegal state aid, as was previously reported by RAILTARGET. Between 2007 and 2019, the company allegedly benefited from EUR 5 billion in unauthorized subsidies. To avoid EU-imposed sanctions, the French government took proactive steps, implementing a comprehensive restructuring plan.

Transport Minister François Durovray confirmed these plans despite union protests, continuing the strategy announced by his predecessor, Clément Beaune, in May 2023. Under the plan, Fret SNCF’s combined transport segment, accounting for 20% of its revenue, was sold off to various companies, including DB Cargo France, Europorte, and Medway. Some operations, such as its agricultural logistics division, were shut down entirely.

Who Are Fret SNCF’s Successors?

Hexafret
Hexafret, a rail freight company specializing in train formation, is one of the two newly created entities. The company is set to focus on enhancing single wagonload services. With 4,000 employees, Hexafret operates 1,100 regular trains weekly, serving 1,300 industrial and logistics hubs across France and Europe.

Hexafret aims to offer tailored transport solutions, shared transport plans with predefined capacities and routes, and streamlined operations for its customers. It is part of the Rail Logistic Europe consortium, positioning itself as a key player in the European freight market.

Technis
The second entity, Technis, will manage locomotive operations and maintenance. With around 500 employees, Technis inherits SNCF’s technical expertise, enabling it to compete on both the French and European markets while also providing services to other companies.

This transformation marks a new chapter for French rail freight, reflecting broader trends in market liberalization and competitive restructuring across Europe.

Source: RAILTARGET; groupe-sncf.com, Rail Logistic Europe