Following the success of the first green infrastructure bond issued by a German transport company in 2021 by Hamburger Hochbahn AG (HOCHBAHN), the company is further expanding its role in the "green" capital market. Together with a consortium of national and international banks, a particularly flexible financing model has now been applied. Instead of a compact green bond package, several tranches of "green" promissory note loans and registered bonds were successfully issued. HOCHBAHN is thus raising 300 million euros from institutional investors to invest in important transport projects for the mobility turnaround.

The transactions were implemented with the support of a consortium of banks, including DZ BANK AG. As with the issue of the Green Bond 2021, the current successful placement also took place under the auspices of a first-class AAA financial rating (Fitch). The outstanding rating of HOCHBAHN's sustainability strategy also played a role. The basis for this is a Green Finance Framework, in which HOCHBAHN's sustainability goals and obligations are stored and which complies with the international standards of the ICMA (International Capital Market Association). The verdict is clear: The framework was rated "Dark Green", while sustainable corporate governance was rated "Excellent". HOCHBAHN thus again received the best possible rating in both categories.

HOCHBAHN will invest the 300 million euros exclusively in sustainable projects. Around 50 percent of the funds are earmarked for the metro area, including automation of the subway. Around 40 percent of the volume will be used for the bus sector. Here, electrification will be further advanced. This includes the procurement of e-buses and the construction and modernization of depots. Around 10 percent of the total will be spent on services. This includes the renewal and modernization of bus stops.

Copyright Fotos: Hamburger Hochbahn AG; photographers: David Goltz Hamburg (U4 Hafencity), Marc-Oliver Schulz (Hochbahnhaus)