Cause of Extensive Iron Ore Line Derailment in Northern Sweden Found The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority has found the cause of the December 2023 derailment on the Iron Ore Line, which led to a two-month stop in traffic on the crucial railway line in the north.
Finland Invests in Future Railway to Norway and Sweden Finland has started planning a future railway connection stretching from northern Finland to Narvik in northern Norway. The project aims to change the Finnish track gauge to the Swedish and Norwegian standard, thereby connecting Finland closer to its neighboring countries.
Critical of the Swedish Government’s Lack of Investment in the Iron Ore Line The mayor of the Northern Swedish municipality Boden believes the Swedish Government is not taking the further construction of the Iron Ore Line seriously. Sweden recently presented several measures for improving the vital railway but is criticized for not doing enough.
Hard-Packed Snow on the Track Contributed to the Latest Iron Ore Line Derailment According to the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority, hard-packed snow on the track and under the wagons contributed to the derailment of the Iron Ore Line in Northern Sweden in February 2024.
Closer Cooperateon on Transport in the Northern Nordic Region Norway, Sweden, and Finland have established Platform North, a cooperation platform to focus on transport and infrastructure in the Northern Nordic region. "This is a tool to help us reach our joint objectives," says Norwegian Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård to HNN.
Closer Cooperation on Transport in the Northern Nordic Region Norway, Sweden, and Finland have established Platform North, a cooperation platform to focus on transport and infrastructure in the Northern Nordic region. "This is a tool to help us reach our joint objectives," says Norwegian Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård to HNN.
Status Report on the Iron Ore Line Derailment: Could Have Been Caused by Defective Wheel According to a preliminary status report from the Swedish Accident Investigation Authority, a damaged wheel could have contributed to the train derailment on the Iron Ore Line a year ago. The fully loaded train was heading from the northern Swedish city of Kiruna to Narvik when several cars derailed near the Norwegian border.
Nordic Cooperation: Joint Infrastructure Strategy To Support Military Mobility During a joint visit to the NATO exercise Immediate Response in Northern Norway, the ministers of transport in Norway, Sweden, and Finland agreed to strengthen cooperation on border-crossing transport corridors to better ensure military needs.
“Practicing Norway’s Role as a Transit Country Is an Historic Development” Narvik (High North News): The exercise Immediate Response has commenced. Tons of US military equipment arrived in Narvik, Northern Norway, last week and is to be transported into the Nordic region for further military training. Now, Norway's role as a transit country is being practiced in light of NATO's Nordic expansion, says Colonel May Brith Valen-Odlo.
Practicing Norway’s Role as a Transit Country for Allied Forces Going to Sweden and Finland This week, a US ship with military personnel will arrive in Narvik, Northern Norway, in connection with the military exercise Immediate Response 2024. Several hundred American vehicles and containers will be unloaded in the Port of Narvik to be further transported via Sweden to an exercise in Finland.
Wants Investment in Critical Infrastructure in Narvik: A Double track on the Ofoten Line Must Be Prioritized The governing parties in Nordland County Council, Northern Norway, wants increased investments in critical infrastructure in Narvik and Ofoten and encourages the government and parliament to prioritize a double track on the Ofoten Railway.
Iron Ore Line Issues Continue to Impact LKAB: Cut in Production and Other Possible Measures The mining company LKAB in Northern Sweden is now cutting production due to the reduced capacity of the Iron Ore Line. The company believes it might need to take even more drastic measures to limit production, which could lead to a loss of income of around SEK 5 billion annually.
Norwegian Minister of Transport: Expanding Critical Arctic Railroad Bodø (High North News): There have been clear expectations and demands for double tracks on the Ofoten Line between Sweden and Norway in the Norwegian National Transport Plan. On Tuesday, the Norwegian Minister of Transport said three new passing sidings will be built. "It is the road to double tracks," says Jon-Ivar Nygård (Labor).
Norwegian Minister of Transport: Expanding Critical Arctic Railroad Bodø (High North News): There have been clear expectations and demands for double tracks on the Ofoten Line between Sweden and Norway in the Norwegian National Transport Plan. On Tuesday, the Norwegian Minister of Transport said three new passing sidings will be built. "It is the road to double tracks," says Jon-Ivar Nygård (Labor).
Norwegian Minister of Transport: Expanding Critical Arctic Railroad Bodø (High North News): There have been clear expectations and demands for double tracks on the Ofoten Line between Sweden and Norway in the Norwegian National Transport Plan. On Tuesday, the Norwegian Minister of Transport said three new passing sidings will be built. "It is the road to double tracks," says Jon-Ivar Nygård (Labor).
New Iron Ore Line Derailment: Cannot Rule Out Sabotage Days after the opening of the Iron Ore Line, another iron ore train derailed on the railway line between Norway and Sweden in the North. Swedish police have initiated investigations of both incidents and do not rule out sabotage.
Nordic Response Exercise Logistics Impacted as Ofoten Railway Line Remains Closed "The Ofoten Line is important to the Norwegian Armed Forces. Its significance will increase with Sweden and Finland as NATO members," says Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen to High North News.
Yet Another Postponement of Traffic on the Iron Ore Line in Northern Sweden The opening of traffic on the railway line between Kiruna and Narvik has been postponed numerous times since the middle of December. The concluding work on the Iron Ore Line is still affected by cold weather and large amounts of snow, and the Swedish Transport Administration is once again postponing the expected traffic resumption date.
The Iron Ore Line Reopens This Week: LKAB Has Products in Stock Equivalent to 400 Ore Trains The mining company LKAB has iron ore products worth millions on hold after the derailment on the Iron Ore Line. Delivering the products in stock to customers can take several years. "We usually run 10 ore trains a day between Kiruna and Narvik, and when the traffic resumes, these will be used to transport the daily production," says LKAB's Press Manager.
Over 200 000 Tonnes of Seafood Sent Annually via the Ofoten Line: The Derailment Highlights Need for Double Track Significant amounts of seafood are annually transported via railway from Narvik in Northern Norway through Sweden to Oslo. After the Iron Ore Line derailment, trailers have transported the goods to Kiruna. However, if the situation persists and the winter fisheries get in full swing, there might be a lack of available vehicles, says the Deputy Managing Director of the Norwegian Seafood Federation.
"Ofoten Railway Line Needs a Double Track by 2035" The iron ore train derailment in Northern Sweden brings up the debate about a double track on the Ofoten Line: "What has happened now should be a serious wake-up call for Bane Nor, the Norwegian Railway Directorate, the government, and parliament. The same goes for Swedish authorities. A double track can no longer be postponed," says the mayor of Narvik in Northern Norway.
Iron Ore Traffic Expected Resumed at the End of January: Derailment in Northern Sweden Hits LKAB Hard The extent of the iron ore derailment in Northern Sweden is becoming more apparent, and the prognosis for resumed traffic is now set for the end of January. The stoppage strongly affects the mining company LKAB, with an estimated daily revenue loss of SEK 100 million.
