GERMAN forwarding giant DB Schenker's revenue fell 3.5 per cent to EUR14.8 billion (US$20.5 billion) in 2013, with volumes across all its businesses either flat or slightly down, except for contract logistics.

The company's large European road freight business saw consignments edge up 0.2 per cent, but air and sea freight forwarding declined in terms of tonnage and TEU by 0.3 and 0.7 per cent respectively.

At contract logistics, however, revenues were up 5.2 per cent to EUR1.8 billion, reported UK's Transport Intelligence.

The other logistics business, rail freight, also saw a decrease of 1.5 per cent in terms of volume, which the company blamed in part on flooding, with revenue falling 2.1 per cent to EUR4.8 billion.

Adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) decreased 22.4 per cent, which was split between a fall of EUR30 million in DB Schenker Rail, to EUR57 million, and a fall of EUR85 million for DB Schenker Logistics, to EUR335 million.

Overall revenues for the whole parent group, Deutsche Bahn, were down by 0.5 per cent to EUR39.12 billion and EBIT was down 17.4 per cent at EUR2.2 billion.