Finnish VR’s freight business deteriorates, layoffs approaching
The freight business of the Finnish state-owned VR Group is probably going through one of its roughest periods. The cut-off of eastbound traffic towards Russia, directly affecting the transport of wood products, has considerably lowered...Read more
Rail strike in Finland is over after new collective agreement
breakingThe nationwide rail strike in Finland that started on March 20th has come to an end after only two days. This is because, as trade union Railway Union Finland (RAU) specified, Finnish locomotive drivers accepted...Read more
Domestic freight traffic impaired, international unaffected as Finnish strike continues
UPDATEAll domestic rail freight services are cancelled in Finland as the strike of train drivers reaches its third day. At the same time, international traffic seems to be unaffected. The strike will continue until further...Read moreVR Group wants more Metsa cargo on trains
Finnish state-owned railway company VR Group and Finnish forest industry group Metsa Group agreed on shifting more goods from road to rail to reduce their CO2 emissions. According to VR Group, this measure would lead...Read more
Finland’s VR will stop rail freight traffic to Russia by the end of the year
VR Group, the Finnish state-owned railway company, said it will stop the transportation of goods to Russia by the end of 2022. In April, VR Group claimed that rail freight traffic between the two countries would...Read more
Raw timber transport in Finland flourishes despite challenges
VR Transpoint, the logistics branch of Finnish VR Group, saw its timber transport business hitting sky-high numbers in August. The company transported 1,2 million cubic metres of raw wood, marking an all-time record. A new...Read more
More than 800 Russian freight cars seized by Finland
SanctionsSince April 2022, 865 Russian freight cars have been seized by Finnish authorities. Over 82 million euro worth of assets were frozen to comply with EU sanctions on Russian coal after the start of the...Read more
Finnish VR Group to discontinue Russian traffic faster than expected
Finnish state-controlled rail company VR Group is racing to terminate transport agreements with customers on the Russian route. The company sped up the gradual phase-out of traffic to and from Russia and started concluding agreements...Read more
Rail freight Finland-Russia: traffic to phase out gradually, private operators affected
Rail freight traffic between Finland and Russia will gradually cease after the existing transport contracts of state-controlled company VR Group end. For now, traffic is still possible. However, in the following months, this will not...Read moreRail freight traffic Finland-Russia resumes
UPDATEThree days after suspending traffic between Finland and Russia, VR Group can resume it. Effective from Wednesday, 30 March, the decision to restart rail freight operations to and from Russia results from further consultation with...Read more
‘Super Train’ in Finland sets new record: the equivalent of 92 trucks
The Finnish railway company VR Transpoint has introduced another heavy weight to the railways. Dubbed the Super Train, it carries a weight of 7,000 tonne, and 80 wagons. Moreover, it is about one kilometre long....Read moreKnorr-Bremse signs 8-year contract with Finnish maintenance company
Knorr-Bremse and Finland’s state-owned railroad vehicle maintenance company VR FleetCare, a subsidiary of VR Group, have concluded a lifecycle management contract featuring overhaul and repair service for the braking systems of 46 freight and passenger...Read moreFinland tests longer freight trains to intensify Russian transit
Finnish rail freight company VR Transpoint have successfully tested operation with a 830-metre-long train. It is a record figure for the railway between Vainikkala, an important junction close to the Russian border, and the Port...Read more
Stadler improves shunting at Finnish freight terminals
Stadler Rail has concluded an agreement with Finnish state-owned railway company VR Group for the delivery 60 new diesel-electric shunting locomotives. The vehicles will improve the operational efficiency at marshalling yards, freight terminals and on...Read more