The Norwegian rail operator, Cargonet has launched a rail shuttle service between Oslo, Norway and Gothenburg, Sweden, which will initially operate once a week in each direction.
A 580m train will arrive at the Port of Gothenburg from Oslo carrying Norwegian export goods for loading onto ships and onward transport to various parts of the world via the extensive Port of Gothenburg service network. On the evening of the same day, the train will be loaded with import goods bound for the Norwegian market, reaching Oslo the next morning.
“We began operating tentatively last week and we have had a great response from the market,” said Mikael Grankvist, Cargonet product manager.
This is equivalent to having 2,000 fewer trucks each year operating on the extremely busy E6 motorway between Gothenburg and Oslo, according to an announcement, while the switch from road to rail is expected to result in a reduction in carbon emissions of 724,000kg per year.
“We have noticed how many are looking for dependable, climate-smart solutions and there is every opportunity to increase traffic volumes on this route in the future,” added Grankvist.
At present, around 60% of container volumes to and from the Port of Gothenburg are transported by rail, a figure that puts the Swedish port among the top rail freight ports in the world.
Investments include an expansion of the double-track Port Line system and the Arken Intermodal Terminal, which have already had a significant impact on reducing the number of trucks on the roads in the Gothenburg area.
Additionally, the new rail-sea transhipment terminal at the port, the Svea Terminal, is currently in the start-up phase.
“The demand for rail transport is continuing to grow, and a further increase will help us achieve our highly ambitious climate goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 70% by 2030,” commented Claes Sundmark, vice president, business area container, RoRo & rail at the Gothenburg Port Authority.
