Record rail volumes at the Port of Gothenburg – Northern Sweden driving growth
Article in short
- The Port of Gothenburg set a record for rail-based container transport in 2025
- Over 72,000 TEU were transported between northern Sweden and the port
- Piteå and Haparanda in northern Sweden increased volumes by 16%
- Railport Scandinavia strengthens the connection between inland terminals and global markets
Which terminals are driving the record at the Port of Gothenburg?
Rail freight traffic between northern Sweden and the Port of Gothenburg continues to grow. In total, more than 72,000 TEU were handled on the northern rail shuttles in 2025, a key contributor to the port’s record rail volumes.
– This is a development few would have dared to hope for just a few years ago. In the past five years alone, we have seen a doubling of containers from northern Sweden. It is clear evidence of the region’s growing importance as a hub for Swedish export industries. Northern Sweden in particular really stands out, says Johan Ehn, Senior Market Development Manager at the Port of Gothenburg.
Two inland terminals in Piteå and Haparanda play a particularly important role in this growth. Together, they handled 13,412 TEU during the year, an increase of 16% compared with the previous year.
In Piteå, the terminal, initially built to serve Stenvalls Trä’s own transport needs, has evolved into a regional hub for multiple industries. This highlights how rail and inland terminals strengthen the entire value chain for Swedish exports.
– We and our customers need to be able to reach export markets around the world quickly and efficiently with low climate impact. Gothenburg is home to the largest port in the Nordics, with an extensive liner network and efficient transshipment from rail to vessel. Establishing these high-frequency rail connections to the port for onward global transport has proven important not only for us, but for large parts of our region as well, says Roger Bergman, Marketing Manager at Stenvalls Trä.
" We and our customers need to be able to reach export markets around the world quickly and efficiently with low climate impact. Gothenburg is home to the largest port in the Nordics, with an extensive liner network and efficient transshipment from rail to vessel. Establishing these high-frequency rail connections to the port for onward global transport has proven important not only for us, but for large parts of our region as well."
Why is rail freight to the Port of Gothenburg increasing?
The growth is driven by a combination of stable flows, high capacity, and access to global markets via the port.
One key factor is the reliability of rail – particularly when other transport modes are affected, for example by ice conditions in the Gulf of Bothnia.
– This has led to further shifts of cargo to our rail shuttles operated by TFK Logistics AB. We are very pleased to be able to offer a reliable alternative with high delivery precision in a challenging situation. The trains always run – week in and week out, regardless of season, says Roger Bergman.
Each week, 19 container trains operate between northern Sweden and the Port of Gothenburg. Upon arrival, containers are transported directly into the container terminal and loaded onto ocean-going vessels. At the same time, trains are filled with import goods for northbound transport – creating balanced flows and strengthening the entire logistics chain.
Why choose rail transport?
Choosing rail freight to and from the Port of Gothenburg is not only about reducing emissions. It creates a logistics chain that is sustainable over time - economically, environmentally, and strategically.
More and more companies are choosing Railport Scandinavia to:
- reduce transport costs
- lower emissions across the value chain
- avoid road congestion and bottlenecks
- build a more stable and resilient logistics chain
- shorten lead times