Gothenburg’s new intermodal terminal officially open
The Port of Gothenburg’s new intermodal terminal has had its official opening, confirming the Swedish port’s status as a world-leading rail, road and sea hub.
Covering 65,000 square metres, the Arken Combi Terminal provides Gothenburg with vastly expanded freight capacity, more efficiency and cleaner air, as it removes 100 trucks a day from the city centre.
It is located beside the container and ro-ro terminals in the outer port area, ensuring the fast onward movement of goods to destinations throughout Sweden and the rest of the world.
Facility
In operation since the turn of the year, the new terminal already handles more freight than its predecessor at Gullbergsvass, in central Gothenburg, which is now closed. Seven trains a day go through the facility, compared to five before, with more expected in the near future. More than 100,000 trailers a year are expected to change from one mode of transport to another at the new terminal.
Magnus Kàrestedt, Chief Executive of Gothenburg Port Authority, said: “The Arken Combi Terminal is a long-awaited piece in the puzzle at the Port of Gothenburg. The market has been looking for ways of handling more goods more efficiently, and the city needs the former terminal area to press ahead with its urban development programme. We are pleased that we were able to respond rapidly to these wishes. At last we have a solid intermodal solution in place.”
Modern
Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Administration, needed the old terminal site at Gullbergsvass for the construction of the West Link rail system, an eight-kilometre link through the centre of Gothenburg. As a result, the port decided that the time was right for the creation of a new, more modern combi-terminal that offered improved capacity in a better location. Both organisations are co-funding the new terminal.
Lena Erixson, Director General of Trafikverket (pictured at the official opening), said: “A new combi terminal in a location that is close to industry and the port opens up further potential for establishing a more efficient flow between road, rail and sea. We also have the added benefit of reduced pressure on the road system in the centre of Gothenburg with the rerouting of heavy vehicle traffic.”
