Source: https://www.vk.se/2025-08-19/debatt-sakra-framtidens-godstransporter-e7c2e
Debate: Securing the future of freight transport
Authors: Anders Hermansson - CEO of Swedish Shipping, Ulric Långberg - Head of Social Policy, Swedish Road Transport Companies, Tomas Arvidsson - Vice Chairman of the Swedish Transport Industry Association, Gustaf Engstrand - Head of Business Policy, Swedish Railway Companies
Original article in Swedish
19.08.2025 | Improved transport that takes place through a combination of several different modes of transport is absolutely crucial for Swedish exports, write a number of representatives of the transport industry.
Sweden is an island in terms of transport. An elongated country with large distances from north to south, where goods often need to be transported long distances to national and international markets. Industry and service companies point to a lack of transport infrastructure as a decisive factor in the inability to grow — it is not enough in an uncertain global situation where increased Swedish trade and competitiveness are more important than ever.
Therefore, a strong development of intermodal freight transport, that is, transport that takes place through a combination of several different modes of transport and thereby makes the transport chain more efficient, is absolutely crucial for Swedish exports. However, today there is a lack of functional and efficient solutions of this kind and the modes of transport – rail, shipping, road traffic – do not have the conditions required to contribute to an optimal transport system.
Intermodal solutions mean that the strengths of each mode of transport are taken advantage of. By using different modes of transport where it is most appropriate, a more efficient chain is created. Relatively few companies have their own rail connection (and existing connections are decreasing in number) or their own port, which is why intermodal transport often begins with a truck, which picks up the goods and transports them to a node in the form of a terminal or port. There it is reloaded onto, for example, trains or ships that transport the goods a longer distance. The final part of the transport is often carried out by truck to reach the recipient.
By combining the flexibility of trucks with the cost-effectiveness of shipping for large volumes and the ability of railways to transport heavy goods over long distances without fossil fuels, intermodality contributes to a cost-effective, safe and sustainable transport system. This reduces both costs and environmental impact compared to using road transport alone. Coordination between modes of transport enables larger volumes and improved logistics, which strengthens the competitiveness of the business sector. In other words, intermodal solutions are vital for the Swedish business sector.
In order to develop and facilitate the use of intermodal transport solutions, several measures need to be prioritized in decisions on laws and regulations in the transport area and included in the planning of infrastructure investments in roads, railways and ports. These include:
fees that guide the efficient use of the transport system, the effective supervision of road traffic and the possibility of moving load carriers between modes of transport. Politicians must also ensure that the road and rail network can handle longer and heavier vehicles and that there is coordination and joint planning with our neighboring countries for efficient freight transport.
We would also like to see an intermodality pool introduced for easier and more efficient transhipment. In addition, better planning is needed to reduce disruptions during maintenance measures and more well-functioning terminals and ports for transhipment between road, rail and shipping. Finally, increased collaboration between authorities and industries regarding infrastructure planning for intermodality is also a key factor in future-proofing the transport industry.
Both industry and service companies point to the lack of transport infrastructure as a crucial obstacle to growth. Intermodal solutions are a way to ensure good and long-term competitiveness and make it possible to transport goods over long distances in a more resource-efficient way, but this requires the government to roll up its sleeves and take a range of measures. The above measures would be important steps in the right direction.