New rail shuttle between Bastuträsk and Gothenburg strengthens Sweden’s forestry industry

Träfraktkontoret is one of Sweden’s leading container freight forwarders for the forestry industry. They combine sea freight with efficient land transport from forestry sites to ports. Their subsidiary TFK Logistics is now establishing a new rail shuttle from the terminal in Bastuträsk to APM Terminals in Gothenburg.  

The new shuttle is a long-awaited addition to RailPort – the network that connects the Port of Gothenburg with inland terminals throughout Scandinavia. The new shuttle made its first departure from Bastuträsk in northern Sweden on 17 May and arrived at APM Terminals Gothenburg 24 hours later with 42 containers.  

"The long-awaited rail destination, Bastuträsk, has great potential and creates new opportunities for companies in the region to reach all corners of the world via APM Terminals in Gothenburg. We are grateful that TFK Logistics is further strengthening our offering," says Svante Altås, salesperson and rail expert at APM Terminals Gothenburg. 

TFK Logistics, which has also been operating a Gothenburg–Piteå shuttle since October, has developed the new shuttle in close collaboration with Holmen Wood Products. “This development enables us to offer Holmen Wood Products AB and other companies in the region terminal services such as transhipment and stuffing in Bastuträsk, and an electrified transport solution from Västerbotten to APM Terminals in Gothenburg by train,” says Fredrik Bärthel Intermodal Product Manager at TFK Logistics. He continues:  

"The logistics solution not only provides companies in the region with a time-efficient transport alternative to container freight on the Baltic Sea, but also offers a sustainable alternative that provides major CO2 savings." 

The shuttle to Bastuträsk will initially depart weekly, but soon after the summer TFK Logistics plans to go up to two departures per week. “The trains will be able to transport up to 46 containers, which means that we will utilise both the train's weight and length, and thus the capacity of the railway, in an optimal way,” says Fredrik Bärthel. 

Strong commitment to sustainable transport

The new shuttle initiative ensures a smoother logistics flow for the forestry industry while reducing climate impact. "According to calculations done by the Swedish Environmental Research Institute IVL, combining rail and direct shipping leads to around a 90% reduction in climate emissions when compared to feeder transport from northern Sweden via Rotterdam. The rail–direct shipping combination forms a natural green corridor from Västerbotten to global markets," he concludes.