The German Spedition Bode will launch a new rail service for both containers and trailers between Lübeck and Halmstad as of April's start.

The train sets will make two weekly calls to Halmstad, chiefly with goods for the food industry.

The Port of Halland, the harbour operator in Halmstad, expects to handle some 80 cargo units per week within the new service.

"It feels very positive that the new service is in place and that we make it easier for continental cargo flows to go by rail. On top of the obvious environmental gains, when goods shift onto railways, we are also reducing the lead times considerably while increasing the frequency for clients," Emil Vranjancu, Head of Marketing, the Port of Halland, commented.

Henrik Nanfeldt, the port's Chief of Operations, added, "We have during the recent years improved our railroads extensively and are well prepared for the increase in rail freight traffic. Together with the coming investments done by the Halmstad Municipality in cooperation with the Port of Halland - a new main line, more rail tracks and developing a new combi terminal - we will strengthen our intermodal offer even more over time."

"We are saving around 70% CO2 per trailer and container when we shift cargo flows onto rails, at the same time making transport times from the continent faster in comparison to sea shipping. In the longer run, I see Halmstad as a sustainable hub for sea and rail volumes - towards a gateway to other destinations in central Sweden," Stev Etzrodt, CEO, Spedition Bode, highlighted.

Photo: Spedition Bode