Established in 2021, Nexrail is a rolling stock lessor dedicated to the freight and shunting markets in Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The company was created by a group of rail leasing professionals with the ambition to become the leading European platform offering hybrid/dual mode traction and innovative locomotives and specialised rolling stock.

To grow its current fleet of 48 young locomotives, Nexrail has placed orders with manufacturer Vossloh for 12 used locomotives and 70 new DE 18 Stage V Smart Hybrid locomotives, which use less diesel and produce 40% less carbon emissions than non-hybrid models¹. These hybrid locomotives are also certified for hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) usage, which reduces net CO₂ emissions by a further 90%. Nexrail, backed by sponsor Infravia Capital Partners, will be the only lessor in the market for the Stage V DE 18 SmartHybrid locomotive, which will be homologated for Belgium, France, Luxemburg, and Germany. Apart from leasing, Nexrail also offers financing, maintenance, insurance, and spare part supply.

When Nexrail’s adviser approached NatWest to participate in a 10-bank syndicate for a Sustainability-Linked debt facility, the NatWest deal team agreed to take a €30 million hold in the €322 million financing package to help refinance existing debt, fund the purchase of the new energy efficient locomotives and secure liquidity for further purchases of new assets in order to support Nexrail with their growth ambitions. 

Jacob Lloyd, Specialist Asset Finance at NatWest, said: “We are excited to be able to support the decarbonisation of the rail market by providing sustainable finance to Nexrail. Our involvement in this transaction is testament to our commitment to offer £100 billion of Climate and Sustainable Funding and Financing by the end of 2025 to help achieve net zero.”  

1: Source: Vossloh