The Narvik rail freight terminal in Northern Norway is about to expand its capacity. Bane NOR, Norway’s infrastructure manager, wants to implement a 30 million euros project to develop the terminal and make it possible to handle more volumes. Works could start as soon as the coming autumn and conclude by 2023.

Bane NOR was already considering kicking off the upgrade by summer 2022. However, the reduced expenses on other railway projects allowed for a quicker allocation of budget and the project will start during this year. It still remains for the Norwegian parliament to approve the expansion proposal, and then the project will be officially underway.

Important rail freight hub

In 2020 the freight terminal in Narvik handled more than 70,000 TEUs. The aim after the expansion is to handle 100,000 TEUs per year. The terminal is part of the Ofoten Line, which runs from Narvik to the Norwegian-Swedish border. From there, it extends to the Iron Ore Line that reaches the Swedish port of Luleå.

Moreover, Narvik is also part of the Nordic Railgate Cooperation, an initiative that connects the Chinese city of Xi’an with Kouvola in Finland. From Kouvola, trains reach Narvik through Sweden. Understandably, the terminal’s connections can extend even to the New Silk Road.

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