A new rail connection between Haparanda and the Port of Gothenburg, scheduled to commence operations on November 5, 2026, is set to strengthen trade connectivity for industries in northern Sweden and Finland by providing improved access to international shipping networks.
The new service will enable cargo from Finland and northern Sweden to be consolidated at Haparanda, located on the Swedish-Finnish border, before being transported by rail to the Port of Gothenburg for onward shipment to global markets.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve transit times for exporters. Cargo moving from Oulu in Finland to Asia could reach its destination up to eight days faster compared with traditional transport solutions.
Through APM Terminals Gothenburg, the rail connection will provide access to international shipping services, including direct connections to Asian markets.
Mathias Weismann Poulsen, Head of Commercial at APM Terminals Gothenburg, said the initiative has significant potential to establish Haparanda as a cross-border inland logistics hub connecting Finland and Sweden with global markets through Gothenburg’s extensive shipping network.
New Export Corridor for Northern Industries
The rail connection will offer increased cargo capacity and a reliable year-round transportation alternative, particularly during winter when ice conditions in the Gulf of Bothnia can disrupt shipping operations.
The initiative will also make better use of Sweden’s existing railway infrastructure while providing industries in northern Sweden and Finland with more efficient and sustainable export logistics options.
Roger Danell, Municipal Director of the City of Haparanda, described the initiative as a first step towards developing a strategic green export corridor connecting the Gulf of Bothnia with Sweden’s west coast.
The project is expected to strengthen Haparanda’s role as a regional logistics hub while enhancing the competitiveness of Nordic industries through improved multimodal connectivity and access to global trade routes.