Shuttle links Haparanda with Gothenburg

A new freight rail service between Haparanda and Gothenburg aims to strengthen trade between Finland, Sweden and global markets, cutting transit times to Asia by up to eight days.

The service launches on 5 November. It runs between Haparanda, on the Finnish-Swedish border, and the Port of Gothenburg. Finnish and northern Swedish industry can consolidate cargo in Haparanda. From there, it moves on to global markets.

Through APM Terminals Gothenburg, the shuttle will connect directly to international shipping, including direct services to Asia. Cargo from Oulu to Asia, for example, will arrive eight days faster.

Mathias Weismann Poulsen, Head of Commercial at APM Terminals Gothenburg, said:

“We see great potential in Haparanda as a cross-border inland hub between Finland and Sweden.

“This initiative is a good example of how we want to connect the Nordic region with Gothenburg by rail and develop new logistics solutions where they are needed. In doing so, we are creating more routes for Nordic industry to reach the global market efficiently and competitively through our extensive network of services.”

Year-round alternative

The link allows larger freight volumes to move by rail. It also makes better use of Sweden’s existing rail infrastructure, all year round. Industry in northern Sweden and Finland will be less exposed to ice in the Bay of Bothnia. Ice can disrupt shipping in winter.

Roger Danell, Municipal Director of Haparanda Municipality, said:

“We want to show that existing infrastructure can be used to create an entirely new, sustainable export corridor. This is a first step towards a strategic green export corridor between the Bay of Bothnia and the North Sea.”