A new report commissioned by Västra Götalandsregionen and conducted by WSP Sweden highlights the strategic role of the Oslo-Gothenburg railway in ensuring resilience for Norwegian trade. While Gothenburg Port has traditionally been considered a key hub for Norwegian imports and exports, the report finds that its direct significance has decreased due to the rapid expansion of Oslo’s port operations. However, the study also emphasises that the Gothenburg-Oslo corridor remains critical for maintaining robust and redundant transport infrastructure, particularly in times of geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruptions.
A Changing Trade Landscape
The report finds that around 5% of Norway’s total container volumes currently pass through Gothenburg Port. This represents a structural shift, driven in part by the transformation of Oslo’s port since Yilport took over operations in 2014/2015, investing in efficiency improvements and expanding direct shipping routes.
While this has reduced reliance on Gothenburg for everyday trade, the port still plays a vital role as a fallback option, offering an alternative transport route should disruptions arise in direct shipping to Oslo. In an era of increasing global supply chain shocks—whether from geopolitical instability, extreme weather events, or economic shifts—Norway’s trade resilience depends on having multiple logistics pathways.
Strengthening the Oslo-Gothenburg Rail Corridor: A Resilience Priority
The report underscores that ensuring resilient trade infrastructure requires a strong Oslo-Gothenburg railway, not only to optimize freight flows in normal times but to provide a robust backup transport option in times of crisis.
Currently, the E6 motorway dominates freight transport between Sweden and Norway, with an estimated 2,000 trucks crossing the Svinesund Bridge daily. This heavy reliance on road transport presents multiple vulnerabilities:
- Supply Chain Risk: A disruption on the E6—whether due to extreme weather, congestion, or fuel price shocks—could significantly impact Norwegian trade.
- Economic Inefficiencies: The imbalance in freight flows (with significantly more goods transported from Gothenburg to Oslo than in the reverse direction) results in many empty return trucks, increasing costs and emissions.
- Environmental Pressure: The EU’s climate targets for 2030 and Norway’s ambitions to cut transport emissions make a shift to rail freight essential.
Yet, despite these risks, rail transport between Gothenburg and Oslo remains severely underutilized. The recent suspension of CargoNet’s freight train services on the route only exacerbates the problem. By contrast, the Gothenburg-Stockholm corridor sees around 50 freight trains per day, illustrating the untapped potential for a rail-based solution.
A Resilient Future for Scandinavian Trade
Looking ahead, several factors make rail investment in the Oslo-Gothenburg corridor an urgent priority:
- Norway’s goal to increase non-oil and gas exports by 50% will require more reliable and scalable logistics.
- The Fehmarn Belt fixed link (opening in 2029) will enhance rail connectivity across Scandinavia, increasing the attractiveness of a strong north-south freight rail corridor.
- EU policy targets call for a significant modal shift from road to rail by 2030.
- Longer freight vehicles and electrification in Norway could complement rail solutions, but rail remains the most energy-efficient long-haul alternative.
A resilient transport network is not just about efficiency—it is about preparedness. Strengthening the Oslo-Gothenburg railway ensures that Nordic trade flows remain stable even in the face of external shocks. For policymakers, this is a moment to act—to invest in infrastructure that secures the long-term stability of the region’s trade network and supports a greener, more robust Nordic economy.