Sweden‘s most important port Gothenburg ha[ds_preview]s found an operator for it‘s coming new intermodal terminal. The family-owned company Sandahlsbolagen Sweden AB has signed a five-year agreement.
Operations will commence in December 2017, the port authority announced. »Sandahlsbolagen has for long time shown an interest in running a intermodal terminal at the Port of Gothenburg. We are extremely pleased that one of the most experienced companies in this sector in Sweden has opted to establish operations at the port,« said Arvid Guthed, Vice President Port Development at Gothenburg Port Authority.
At the end of next year, the intermodal terminal beside the central station in Gothenburg will move to the outer port area on the island of Hisingen. The reason behind the move is the planned development of the city centre and the construction of the West Link rail tunnel. It is planned that locating the terminal close to the port will facilitate the introduction of new transport systems that will link up shipping and rail traffic. This peoject is part of a bigger strategy to strengthen the ports market share and infrastructure.
Sandahlsbolagen Sweden AB already operates terminals in Luleå, Umeå, Sundsvall and Jönköping. »We are looking forward to running a intermodal terminal beside the largest port in the Nordic region and we are proud of the trust that has been shown in us. It will be an open access terminal for all rail operators that are interested,« said Thord Sandahl, chief executive of Sandahlsbolagen Sweden AB.
The roots of his company date back over 100 years the founder Enock Sandahl began delivering goods using a horse-drawn wagon. Today the group comprises a parent company and six subsidiaries, working with terminal operations, transport and contracting.
The Port of Gothenburg proud of its rail shuttles. Today, more than 50 % of containers arrive at the port by rail instead of by road. However, increasing the number of road trailers carried on rail trucks would have proved slightly more challenging, despite extensive ro-ro traffic from the port, the authority said. Nonetheless, Sandahl shows confidence: »I can see considerable potential to increase the number of trailer trains into and out of the port, particularly to and from the more northerly parts of the country and the Oslo region. With better access to trailer trains, the logistics situation for Scandinavian industry will be improved considerably and emissions from transport will be reduced.«
