The Port of Gothenburg is on schedule with its project to move intermodal terminal operations to the outer port area at Hisingen in December. Port managers say it’s all systems go as it prepares to switch ‘enormous volumes of freight’ literally from one day to the next.

Work is proceeding according to plan, says the port, and everything necessary to facilitate the switch to the new terminal will be in place prior to the start-up. The new 65,000-square metre terminal is located beside the existing ro-ro terminals, from where trailers and other rolling goods can be transferred for forwarding onto the United Kingdom, Belgium and other destinations.

All systems go

Capacity at the new intermodal terminal will be higher than at the old city centre terminal. Seven rail tracks with a total length of 3,600 metres are being built. Magnus Nordfeldt, project leader at Gothenburg Port Authority, said: “It feels reassuring to be able to inform rail companies and other stakeholders at the port that the situation is completely under control. In December, it will simply be a case of all systems go.”

The new terminal will be operated by Sandahls Goods & Parcel AB, who say the industry is desperately in need of a facility with more capacity as there is already a high demand with more rail companies than at the old facility. Patrik Theander, Terminal Manager at Sandahls Goods & Parcel AB, said: “It looks as if there will be a considerable level of activity from the outset. We are looking forward to this, and we are ready and waiting with all the trucks, lifting equipment, personnel and everything else that will be required for traffic to begin moving immediately.”

Rail to road

At the intermodal terminal, freight will be transferred from rail to road and distributed to companies throughout the region. Each day, the terminal will be served by 12 trains and more than 200 trucks. In addition to domestic trains bound for Norrland, Stockholm and other destinations, there will also be trains heading for various parts of Europe. Some 70,000 trailers are expected to switch from one mode of transport to another at the terminal each year. The transfer of the terminal to the outer port area will reduce road traffic in central Gothenburg significantly.

It’s another positive development for the port, after its DB Schenker Logistics Facility was chosen by tools and garden equipment giant Stanley Black & Decker to be the new location for the company’s Nordic region distribution operations centre. The new distribution centre will have floor space totalling 12,000 square metres. Gothenburg Port Authority has invested around 150 million Kronor in rail giant DB Schenker’s facility, which is located in the port’s Logistics Park in Arendal, with its integrated rail freight connections.