The Swedish national rail freight haulier, Green Cargo, has been entrusted by ScandFibre Logistics (SFL) with a multi-year contract to carry paper and cardboard products from all over Sweden for export via the Gothenburg and Malmö seaports.

In addition, Green Cargo has partnered with the German-French Forwardis to further transport the volumes to around 50 receivers. On the backhaul, consumer and industrial products will be brought to Sweden.

Green Cargo will, among others, serve the paper mills and cardboard factories in Karlsborg, Piteå, Dynäs, Gävle, Frövi, Grums, and Skärblacka, carrying around two million tonnes per year.

"We transported some paper by truck over the past year, approximately 100,000 tonnes that would otherwise have gone by train, because of the increased freight costs of rail in Sweden," revealed Mats Erkén, SFL's CEO. "But after the government's announcement to reduce railway charges, we have increased transport volumes by rail. We also plan to transport more goods by rail from next year. The market situation for the forest industry is, of course, challenging, but we hope for a turnaround next year."

His counterpart at Green Cargo, Henrik Dahlin, also commented, "We are happy and proud of the trust we have received from SFL. This is an important deal for Green Cargo and a testament to our ability to deliver reliable, efficient, and customised rail transport for the Swedish industry. The agreements strengthen both our wagonload network and create opportunities to develop new international flows."