Scandria Alliance Talks: Decoding the TEN-T Regulation revision

Today, the Scandria Alliance kicked-off its new series of #ScandriaAllianceTalks with a discussion on the revised TEN-T regulation and its implications for seamless, green, and smart transport along our Corridor.

The agenda focused on three key topics:

  • The European Commission’s perspective on the agreement – Presented by Martin Zeitler, Policy Officer at DG MOVE and Advisor to EU Coordinator Pat Cox.
  • What the agreement means for urban nodes – Presented by Ivo Cré, Director of Policy and Projects at the POLIS Network.
  • Implications for cross-border links: focus on the Oslo – Stockholm connection
  • Presented by Jonas Karlsson, Managing Director of Oslo-Sthlm 2.55.

Both the Coreper (the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Member States) and the TRAN Committee in the European Parliament backed the provisional agreement on February 9th and 14th, respectively. The EP Plenary will vote on the proposal in April, meaning that, if approved, the regulation would enter into force in May.

For rail freight, the revision entails:

  • High-quality infrastructure standards such as the network’s electrification and the enforcement of the 22.5 t axle load and 740 m train length
  • Freight lines allowing trains to travel at 100 km/h
  • Facilitation of the carriage of semitrailers on rail
  • ERTMS deployment as the single European signalling system
  • Operational priorities for freight services
  • Limited dwelling time at border crossings
  • Punctuality at scheduled time
  • Last mile connectivity


The revision also finally puts the Oslo – Stockholm connection on the map. By upgrading rail infrastructure along this route, experts foresee that travel times will decrease from five to three hours, making rail more competitive vis-à-vis other transport modes.

A preliminary feasibility study by the Jernbanedirektoratet and Trafikverket concluded that there is a need for further research on technical solutions or costs. In any case, this is welcoming news for our Corridor, considering the line’s potential in terms of commercial opportunities and military mobility needs.

We would like to thank the Scandria Alliance for organizing such an insightful event as well as all speakers for their insights on this crucial regulatory development and its impact. We look forward to many more talks!