ODEG Secures Financing for Battery-Electric Trains
Deal News | Jul 15, 2025 | Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard has successfully advised Ostdeutsche Eisenbahnen GmbH (ODEG) on financing and procurement for 14 new battery-electric trains from the manufacturer Stadler. This initiative followed a procurement process run by the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, awarding ODEG the contract for the West Mecklenburg II subnetwork. The funding structure involves an acquisition through an investment firm of Akiem Group SAS, acting as lessor, with various shareholders, such as NETINERA Deutschland GmbH and BENEX GmbH, involved in negotiations. Legal guidance was provided by a team from Addleshaw Goddard, headed by partners Eckart Budelmann and Dr. Jan-Oliver Schrotz, with support from ODEG's legal leaders, Dr. Heiko Piesbergen and Nadine Stark. Bird & Bird advised Rail Capital Europe, whereas Eichler Kern Klein provided counsel to the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Addleshaw Goddard, known for its deep expertise in the transport sector, frequently partners with long-term client NETINERA Group, which forms part of the FS Group from Italy.
Sectors
- Transportation
- Corporate Finance
- Legal Services
Geography
- Germany – The activities, including procurement and financing, as well as participant companies such as ODEG and NETINERA, are based in Germany.
- France – Akiem Group SAS, a French company, is involved as the lessor in the financing structure.
Industry
- Transportation – This industry classification is relevant due to the article's focus on ODEG's acquisition and financing of new battery-electric trains for passenger transport.
- Corporate Finance – The involvement of legal advisory in structuring the financing for the acquisition of trains indicates a corporate finance element.
- Legal Services – Multiple legal firms and advisors were involved in the negotiations and financing process, highlighting the legal services industry.
Financials
- – The article does not specify the exact financial figures or amounts involved in the transaction.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| ODEG Ostdeutsche Eisenbahnen GmbH | Target Company | Company | A German railway company awarded a contract for new battery-electric trains. |
| Addleshaw Goddard | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal advice to ODEG on the financing and procurement process. |
| Akiem Group SAS | Lessor | Company | A French company involved through an investment firm in acquiring the new trains. |
| Stadler | Manufacturer | Company | Producer of the battery-electric trains purchased by ODEG. |
| NETINERA Deutschland GmbH | Lessee's Shareholder | Company | A stakeholder in the lessee's operations and a part of the negotiation process. |
| BENEX GmbH | Lessee's Shareholder | Company | Another stakeholder in the lessee's operations participating in negotiations. |
| Rail Capital Europe Investment SAS | Advised Party | Company | Advised by Bird & Bird in the transaction. |
| Bird & Bird | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal advice to Rail Capital Europe. |
| Eichler Kern Klein | Legal Advisor | Company | Provided legal counsel to the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. |
| VMV Verkehrsgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mbH | Procurement Authority | Company | Conducted the procurement process in which ODEG was awarded the contract. |