External trends
The long-term trend is clear - we are doing more and more business with other countries, which means that international transports are growing faster than national transports. Imports from Asia are rising as well as inputs for industrial and consumption goods. These goods are often transported by sea to Gothenburg or continental ports and generate feeder flows that are then transported via rail or road. The Port of Gothenburg's investment in rail shuttles has been successful and now half of its container freight travels by rail to and from the port. During the winter of 2009–2010, 27 of these trains commuted between the port and destinations in Sweden and Norway. Helsingborg, which has established itself as the country's second largest container port, also invested in shuttle rail services.
The volumes in the industries in which rail transports have traditionally played a large role, such as ore, steel and forestry, fell during the economic slump. It was possible to see a glimmer of a recovery in the second half of 2009, but the development will probably be more beneficial for processed freight. The strongest industry in this case would be retail, for example food, furniture and clothing. The retail industry rebounded the fastest for Green Cargo and already bypassed volume levels from 2008 by the second half of 2009. The recovery in the traditionally large steel and forestry industries is expected to be relatively weak over the next few years.
Opportunities to transport processed freight via rail will increase as reloading terminals for transferring freight from rail to road are improved and expanded. Several initiatives have already been put into action at a number of locations around the country. In many cases, the municipality or region was the driving force behind the investment.
Both consumer and commercial interest in environmental issues is on the rise. The challenge facing the Association of Swedish Train Operators and Green Cargo is to adjust to the downturn in the business cycle without losing the ability to use rising interest in rail logistics solutions to grow when the business cycle rebounds.
GNP and transports, 2001-2009
Source: Swedish National Rail Administration.
Green Cargo's national transports are an approved Good Environmental Choice