Today’s logistics system and infrastructure for freight in Norway has been developed on the basis of road transport where most of the goods transported from Europe pass through Eastern Norway, regardless of the final destination. A more sustainable solution would be a new national logistics and terminal structure with the transition from today’s car transport via Eastern Norway, to direct transport to the rest of the country by sea.
Costs and emissions are significantly reduced with direct sea transport Europe-Western Norway and Europe-Eastern Norway in both directions, while also improving the directional balance of freight.
Goal of pilot project
The aim of the study is therefore to create a knowledge base and a plan for the realization of such a sustainable logistics and terminal structure based on sea transport. At the end of the project, customers will test new sea-based logistics between Norway and Europe. The test will be implemented within 3-4 years where the goal is large-scale implementation with significant transport of goods from road to sea within 5-10 years.
Status
The project was launched in March 2019. The project has mapped freight volumes and transport patterns between Norway and Europe and conducted telephone interviews with approximately 50 companies and in-depth interviews with 20 companies. The results were used to assess national customer volumes suitable for sea-based direct distribution to Norway from central warehouse/consolidation terminals in Europe in combination with export goods.
The project has mapped today’s transport alternatives and developed a concept for sea-based logistics and terminal structure for 2030. Different terminal solutions and land transport corridors have been analyzed in the Rotterdam/Moerdijk area. A formalized cooperation with Kysthavnalliansen and their ongoing test project for weekly sea transport between Europe and Mid Norway was established in 2021.
The pilot engages and involves important stakeholders throughout the value chain. In addition to the participating GSP partners (see right side column) additional contributors are Unil, Bama, Europris, Lerøy, Mowi and Ranheim Paper & Board.
December 2021
Pilot is in the transition phase between phase 1 and phase 2. In phase 1 the focus was to complete analysis of market needs and development of the concept. Phase 2 will focus on physical testing and further concept development.
March 2022
Seven large cargo owners have contributed since the beginning of the pilot study. During first quarter of 2022 the goal has been to recruit new cargo owners with an ambition to have 20 companies onboard. The short-term focus will be on the freight forwarder/logistics providers. A set of KPIs to measure the results from the physical pilot has been identified.
April 2022
The pilot study was finalized in April, and the test phase of the pilot is well underway. The cargo owners show huge interest in seaborne transport concept. It is also gratifying that the number of active and participating cargo owners has increased during the pilot phase, and that the target of 20 cargo owners now has been achieved. Cargo owner number 20 (April 2022) confirmed their participation in late April.
June 2022
Detailed mapping and analysis of the cargo owners’ flow of goods is ongoing, together with identification of sea transport services which can cover the flows that currently are road based. The final report from phase 1 describing the concept of direct sea transport between Europe-West Norway and Europe-Eastern Norway as an alternative to truck transport is available here (Norwegian).
April 2023
Work is now continuing with nearly 20 cargo owners to;
- Set specific targets for cargo transfers for each individual cargo owner in 2023
- Highlight the results for each individual cargo owner, with a focus on climate benefits
- Identify challenges and opportunities