New Rail Link to Connect Haparanda with the Port of Gothenburg

A new rail service set to begin operations on November 5 will link the town of Haparanda with the Port of Gothenburg, creating a cross-border logistics hub for cargo originating in northern Sweden and Finland, and expanding those industries' access to international markets.

The scheme will enable cargo consolidation in Haparanda, a town located on the border between Sweden and Finland, for subsequent rail transport to the Port of Gothenburg and shipment to global destinations. According to sources, cargo moving from Oulu, Finland, to Asia could see transit times cut by up to eight days compared to traditional shipping routes.

Through APM Terminals Gothenburg, the new rail link will be integrated with the international shipping networks operating out of the Swedish port, including direct services to Asia. Mathias Weismann Poulsen, Commercial Manager at APM Terminals Gothenburg, noted that they see significant potential for Haparanda to become a cross-border hub between Finland and Sweden, and highlighted the intention to connect the Nordic region with Gothenburg by rail in order to develop new logistics solutions wherever demand exists.

The new link will allow larger cargo volumes to be moved by rail, making better use of Sweden's existing rail infrastructure. For industries in northern Sweden and Finland, this represents increased transport capacity and a year-round alternative, a relevant factor during winter, when ice conditions in the Gulf of Bothnia can affect or limit maritime transport.

Roger Danell, Municipal Director of the city of Haparanda, stated that they aim to show how existing infrastructure can be used to create an entirely new and sustainable export corridor, describing it as a first step toward establishing a strategic green corridor between the Gulf of Bothnia and Sweden's west coast.