KKR Joins Forces with Green Mobility Partners to Launch European Rail Leasing Initiative
In a bold move poised to reshape the future of rail transport in Europe, KKR, a prominent global investment firm, has partnered with Green Mobility Partners (GMP), an electric locomotive leasing company based in Vienna. This strategic alliance aims to establish a premier European rail leasing platform, responding to the increasing demand for sustainable rail infrastructure throughout the continent.
GMP specializes in providing electric locomotives to both freight and passenger rail operators across Continental Europe, playing a crucial role in the industry’s transition towards electrification. Founded by Christoph Katzensteiner in 2024, GMP focuses exclusively on leasing Siemens Vectron electric locomotives and is set to expand its operations significantly through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
The partnership with KKR will see the investment firm acquire a majority stake in GMP, injecting capital and offering strategic support necessary to enhance GMP's locomotive fleet and develop a dedicated rail platform. This initiative will enable them to explore various growth opportunities, including potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Currently, the European rail sector faces urgent modernization challenges, particularly due to aging infrastructure and an overreliance on diesel locomotives. This situation has amplified the need for electrification, presenting a significant opportunity for GMP to grow, especially with KKR's investment backing and its proven expertise in driving infrastructure decarbonization efforts.
Christoph Katzensteiner, the Founder and CEO of GMP, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Europe’s rail infrastructure requires significant modernisation to meet its decarbonisation objectives. I am delighted to partner with KKR to help address these needs and build a leading European rail leasing platform. With KKR's support and our established relationships with both operators and manufacturers, GMP is ideally positioned to provide the flexible, sustainable infrastructure solutions that Europe's rail sector urgently needs as it transitions to a low-carbon future."
Vincent Policard, who co-heads European Infrastructure at KKR, emphasized the critical moment for the rail sector in Europe, noting, "KKR has a strong track record of supporting projects tackling decarbonisation in some of the most challenging industries. Rail is at a critical moment in Europe, with an ageing fleet that faces significant challenges to modernise. Christoph is a trusted founder who knows these challenges better than anyone, and crucially, how to address them. GMP combines a resilient, contract-backed business model with powerful secular tailwinds in both locomotive and passenger rail leasing. By providing flexible capital solutions and leveraging our global infrastructure expertise, we can support GMP’s growth and contribute to Europe's sustainable transport infrastructure."
KKR boasts extensive experience in investing in the global energy transition, particularly focusing on renewable and transition-related assets. Since 2011, KKR’s Infrastructure platform has committed over $31 billion to energy transition and renewables projects worldwide, achieving notable success in electrification partnerships with market-leading firms like Zenobē and Dawsongroup.
Since 1999, KKR has invested approximately €20 billion in equity within the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) across more than 40 companies, with over two-thirds of these investments made in collaboration with founders, family-owned businesses, and corporates. In the last three years alone, KKR and its co-investors have committed upwards of €10 billion to infrastructure in this region. The firm’s presence on the ground in DACH underscores its long-term dedication to industrial modernization, rail investments, and energy transition initiatives. Germany’s renewed emphasis on infrastructure investments, particularly through its special infrastructure fund, further highlights the significance of platforms like GMP in advancing modern, sustainable rail systems and meeting the region’s decarbonisation goals.
This investment in GMP is conducted via investment vehicles managed by KKR and is contingent upon customary regulatory approvals.
About Green Mobility Partners
GMP is a provider of comprehensive rental solutions for Siemens Vectron locomotives, headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Its locomotives operate within the rail freight sector and passenger transportation across Europe, emphasizing energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable practices.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm specializing in alternative asset management alongside capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to deliver attractive investment returns through a patient, disciplined approach, employing top-tier professionals while fostering growth in its portfolio companies and local communities. The firm sponsors investment funds that focus on private equity, credit, and real assets, and has strategic partners managing hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries provide retirement, life, and reinsurance products under the Global Atlantic Financial Group banner. References to KKR’s investments often include activities from its sponsored funds and insurance operations. For more details about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit their official website at www.kkr.com. To learn more about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit www.globalatlantic.com.
