Nurminen Logistics has announced the expansion of its international operations by opening a new rail link in Sweden. The service will begin in April with weekly scheduled train services.
The development, in cooperation with VÄTE Rail AB, includes a route from Haparanda and Umeå to Gothenburg, the largest port in the Nordic countries. The port of Gothenburg, as the endpoint of this new route, offers direct sea routes to America, various destinations in the Far East and major European ports, further enhancing the logistical capabilities and international reach of companies operating in Northern and Western Finland.
The new rail link aims to improve Finland's western connections and increase security of supply. According to Anna Måtts-Fransén, logistics specialist at VASEK, "The connection will certainly increase the competitiveness of companies on Finland's west coast and in the north. The route integrates smoothly with maritime operations, transporting cargo by Wasalinen's environmentally friendly ROPAX vessel Aurora Botnia from Vaasa to the port of Umeå. In Umeå, operations are managed by Kvarken Ports, a joint venture between the City of Vaasa and the Municipality of Umeå, before continuing by rail to Gothenburg.
Tommi Tuominen, Development Director at Kvarken Ports, said the rail link is a strategic enhancement of Western Finland's gateway to global markets and is part of broader efforts to promote environmentally friendly transport solutions. "The new connection will strengthen our position as Western Finland's gateway to the world and is a concrete part of our efforts to create the conditions for more environmentally friendly transport," Tuominen said.
