DB Schenker’s new product connects the Norwegian capital Oslo to the Arctic Circle town of Narvik. The national company Schenker AS now offers regular rail transports on the 1,960 kilometer route. The DB Schenker North Rail Express brings consumer goods, consolidated freight and new vehicles to northern Norway five days a week. The train transports native products like fish to the southwest on the return trip. Roughly 25,000 containers a year are to be shipped on the route. The product is being implemented with the close cooperation of the Intermodal Business Unit of European rail freight operator DB Schenker Rail.

 A clear course in Norway

“Our new solution is setting a clear course in Norway,” said Karl Nutzinger, Member of the Management Board of Schenker AG responsible for Land Transport and the Region Europe. “Rail has always played an important role for us in supplying our customers in Norway. We use all modes of transportation to the advantage of our customers and combine the flexibility of trucks with the benefits of rail.”

28 hours - roughly 1,960 kilometer route

The train travels from the Alnabru terminal in Oslo to Narvik via Sweden. It also uses the Ofoten Line, whose freight transport should increase by around 30 percent as a result of the new product. The train takes about 28 hours to cover the roughly 1,960 kilometer route, making it much faster than freight by truck. Preparations lasted over a year. The strong position on the market and new customer orders will ensure it is used to capacity. In addition, up to 15 cars with new cars destined for northern Norway will be transported each week on behalf of a partner.

DB Schenker Rail purchased 28 S double well cars and 20 S carrier cars, which are especially suited to the special climatic conditions. The DB Schenker North Rail Express will transport around 90 percent of DB Schenker’s freight destined for northern Norway by rail, which is equivalent to approximately 12,500 truckloads annually. DB Schenker previously used capacities of the Norwegian State Railways.