Sandahlsbolagen to operate terminal at Gothenburg Port

The family-owned company Sandahlsbolagen Sweden AB has signed a five-year agreement with Gothenburg Port Authority to operate the new intermodal terminal at the port. Operations will commence by end of this month.

"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 besides 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. The move will reduce road traffic in the centre of Gothenburg significantly. Locating the terminal close to the port will facilitate the introduction of new transport systems that will link up shipping and rail traffic.

The running of the new intermodal terminal will be handled by the family-owned transport company Sandahlsbolagen Sweden AB. The company 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.

Trailer trains set to make their mark
The Port of Gothenburg is renowned for its rail shuttles. Today, more than 50 per cent of containers arrive at the port by rail instead of by road, with considerable environmental benefits as a result. However, increasing the number of road trailers carried on rail trucks has proved slightly more challenging, despite extensive ro-ro traffic from the port. But Thord Sandahl feels that this is all about to change.

“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,” said Thord Sandahl.

Expansion through to 2020
Construction of the intermodal terminal will take place in two phases. The first phase will be completed in December, when operations are due to commence. The terminal will be fully operational by 2019-2020. By that time, loading will take place using cranes instead of trucks and the entire terminal be electrified and controlled by signals. Around 10 people will be employed in the first phase.