The decision affects approximately 60 employees. The company reported a loss of over NOK 8 million (around EUR 690,000) in 2024, with continued financial setbacks in 2025. This makes BLS Rail AS the fourth private freight operator to exit the Norwegian market, following previous withdrawals by Ofotbanen, Cargolink, and Green Cargo Norge.
The withdrawal is attributed to structural disadvantages in the Norwegian rail freight sector, marked by high competition and operational hurdles, Business Portal Norwegen reports. One of the main issues cited is the frequent disruption of key rail routes. On the Dovre Line, linking Oslo and Trondheim, track closures have lasted several months in each of the past two years, resulting in substantial revenue losses and deteriorating liquidity. Despite this, there has been no governmental move to upgrade the more topographically favorable Røros Line as a viable alternative.
BLS Rail AS had been operating combined transport services from Oslo Alnabru to Stavanger, Bergen, and Trondheim for roughly two years, using both owned and leased locomotives. However, train occupancy remained below expectations. The operator was unable to achieve a stable market position against the state-owned Cargonet and private competitors Onrail and Grenland Rail.
Track access charges, levied by the state, were perceived as disproportionate to the company’s income, especially given the low train load factors. Energy costs also weighed heavily, driven by steep gradients on single-track lines and frequent crossing stops. BLS Rail AS also pointed to what it views as unfair competition, noting that Cargonet receives financial support from the state.
While exiting the domestic market, BLS Rail will continue to operate cross-border services. The company plans to maintain a monthly schedule of ten pulp trains from Norway to Sweden.
