Flexibility at APM Terminals Gothenburg helps maintain delivery precision as rail volumes grow

Markus Ekwall, Department Head at GDL Sjöcontainer, Sweden's largest sea container transporter, talks about the company’s new rail-connected terminal in Jönköping and the great potential offered by rail.

How is your new terminal in Jönköping going?

In collaboration with NKAB (Nässjö Kombiterminal AB), we managed to start up the terminal, located around 150km east of Gothenburg, in record time and it has been working excellently. I would like to give credit to CFL for operating the trains, NKAB for preparing the terminal and APM Terminals Gothenburg for receiving almost all of our goods.

How have your customers reacted?

For our customers, it makes no difference that we now operate through another terminal. We have had a fantastic railcar filling rate throughout January, so we are really succeeding in retaining volume. We have also attracted customers that are a little closer to the new terminal. We can also easily increase the number of circuits. Right now, we are looking for more exports from the area, we have all the potential to take on more.

What opportunities does the new shuttle present to local industries?

The new shuttle reduces the climate impact as transport can be switched from truck to rail between Jönköping and Gothenburg. It also offers increased flexibility to the warehouses in the immediate vicinity. In addition, there may be some goods that are not currently transported in containers that could be containerized and transported by rail.

GDL invests a lot in rail, tell us a little about that.

Each week, 14 trains roll out from APM Terminals Gothenburg and we see further opportunities to grow even further. We see great potential in both Katrineholm and Helsingborg. We hope that the volumes to the Port of Gothenburg increase, as this will provide opportunities to set up rail solutions out into the country.

There are potentially more goods in the region that could go by rail and we are constantly working on solutions like sharing trains with others to push costs down. When it comes to large flows, rail is unbeatable.

What do you think is required to create more sustainable logistics solutions?

That everyone involved really understands the benefit of rail. Our trains are very reliable. In 2020 there were virtually no disruptions and therefore we had a very high level of delivery precision.

As one of Sweden’s largest transport operators, how do you see the future of logistics?

I think digitalization is the next big step, and GDL is working toward furthering development. For example, we are part of the Viavi project that the Port of Gothenburg is running together with APM Terminals. There is a constant demand for digital services and those who book with us want to be able to follow their deliveries in real time. I really believe in the idea of gathering all the information in a portal allowing different players to connect and access the information. Building integration with all customers is a challenge and costs all parties time and money, so I think this solution would be very beneficial.

How do you feel APM Terminals Gothenburg has contributed to your success?

It is often APM Terminals that save us and make sure that we keep to the schedule when something happens out on the rails that cause delays to the terminal. We are really pleased with the service at APM Terminals.