Finland begins planning standard gauge rail connection to Norwegian sea 29/04/25

Link: Finland builds standard-gauge railway to Norway | Latest Railway News

The decision, made during mid-term budget talks, is part of a broader plan to establish a direct rail connection from Kemi to the port of Narvik in Norway.

The Finnish government has approved initial planning for a new rail link between Kemi and Haparanda on the Swedish border, The Barents Observer reports.

The first phase will involve constructing a 30 km railway with the European standard gauge of 1,435 mm between Kemi, Tornio, and Haparanda. Current Finnish tracks use a 1,524 mm gauge, commonly known as the "Russian gauge," which prevents seamless cross-border operations with Sweden.

The government has allocated EUR 20 million to fund studies for the project. Longer-term plans include extending standard gauge tracks to Oulu and to Misi near Rovaniemi, close to military infrastructure facilities.

The initiative responds to requirements set out in the EU's new TEN-T Regulation, which mandates planning for gauge uniformity to support transport and military mobility. Cooperation with Sweden and Norway is underway as part of this broader effort.

On the Swedish side, Haparanda is already linked by standard gauge to Narvik through Kiruna and Gällivare. Narvik’s port plays a key role in transporting iron ore and goods from northern Sweden.

Preliminary estimates from the Finnish Transport Ministry suggest that modifying tracks to reach Oulu could cost over EUR 1.5 billion. Further details are expected as the planning phase progresses.

Officials from Finland’s Defence Forces have indicated that the absence of compatible rail infrastructure in the north currently limits cross-border logistics, particularly for transporting heavy equipment.

The regional authorities in Lapland have voiced support for the project, citing both security and supply chain resilience as key priorities.