As we return to the office after the summer break, let us share with you this promising piece of news: more rail freight traffic is expected in Narvik!
Last winter, traffic on the Ofotbanen between Kiruna and Narvik suffered from the damage caused by three derailments, which took months to repair and caused heavy financial losses.
This, however, demonstrated once more the line’s great relevance for:
- The supply of goods and postal services to Northern Norway
- The southward transport of fresh fish
- The export of Swedish iron ore
- Military mobility within the Nordic region
The provision of these services, whose importance is set to grow in the coming years, has already led the Jernbanedirektoratet to commission to Bane NOR a study on the need for more capacity on the Ofotbanen. In its report, the IM has concluded a capacity need for 66 trains a day in 2040, thus starting the planning of measures aimed at meeting such need.
On the other side of the border, the Swedish authorities believe that the need will be maximum 45 trains a day in 2040 and have therefore not begun corresponding planning for increased capacity. Nevertheless, Trafikverket, Bane NOR and the Jernbanedirektoratet have initiated a tighter dialogue on this matter – both among themselves and with other key stakeholders – also through new cooperation forums such as the Malmbanegruppen and Platform North.
No matter the outcome of this strengthened cooperation, Port of Narvik Director Børge Edvardsen Klingan and Bane NOR Regional Director Thor Brækkan and Project Leader Tor Gunnar Pedersen all convey the same message: there will be significant growth on the Ofotbanen and in the port in the years to come. Accordingly, the freight terminal in Narvik has been expanded several times in recent years – the last one being in 2022, when capacity was increased by 50% -, and is currently undergoing further expansion.
It is precisely Narvik’s strategic location and increased salience for rail freight – recognised by the EU with its inclusion along our Corridor -, which made us select it as the location for our incoming RAG/TAG meeting on October 17th. We are looking forward to witnessing the port’s vitality!
To read the full article (in Norwegian), click here.
