Berlin - Deutsche Bahn, the government-owned German railways company, has bought a half-stake in a Milan, Italy company that manages railway goods services across the Alps.

No price was disclosed in Berlin for the purchase of 49 per cent of NordCargo by Bahn's DB Schenker division. NordCargo has 182 employees and annual revenues of 34 million euros.

It operates a rail cargo service from Italy via Switzerland to Germany. The German company already has an Italian subsidiary, Railion Italia, acquired in 2004. (dpa)