Nordic ministers in Narvik when a historic border crossing was carried out on the Ofotbanen – NRK Nordland

– This is very exciting, but also a historic event, says Transport Minister Jon Ivar Nygaard (Ap).

On Tuesday, he was together with his political colleagues Lulu Ranne (Finland) and Andreas Carlsson (Sweden) in Narvik in connection with the NATO exercise “Immediate Response”.

Last week, a cargo ship from the US military anchored in Narvik Harbour.

They had over 300 containers and over 200 vehicles with them.

The aim is to test how troops and equipment can be transported from Narvik, through Sweden and into Finland.

– After Sweden and Finland became NATO members, we wanted to look at how the transport of military equipment should actually take place, continues Nygaard.

Today, the first train crossed the national border to Sweden.

– In Norway, we are well used to American troops participating and practicing. For Sweden and Finland it is new, and it was a historic event when American material was sent across the Ofotbanen border, says the minister.

Lost billions on shutdown

But Ofotbanen is as much a bottleneck as it is an opportunity, something that was experienced this winter.

Then several trains derailed on the Swedish side and train traffic stopped for several months.

This in turn led to losses in the billions for the Swedish mining company LKAB, which transports its ore to Narvik.

Nygård, on the other hand, has said that they will increase capacity between Narvik and Bjørnfjell station i NTP.

Among other things, two or three new crossing tracks will be built here, to improve capacity on the railway line.

A crossing track is a place on a single-track railway where trains can run to the side so that other traffic, either oncoming or in the same direction, can cross in front.

Decisive for Norway’s security

On the Swedish side, Nygård’s colleague Andreas Carlsson is starting work on crossing tracks as early as 2026.

– As a member of NATO, we are required to contribute to and enable the movement of troops across Swedish territory. From Norwegian ports, via Sweden and to Finland, as this exercise shows. Then it is important to strengthen the infrastructure in the west-east direction, says Carlson.

He is therefore clear that capacity must be increased on the Ofotbanen/Malmbanen as quickly as possible.

– In Sweden, we are going to start crossing tracks soon. And the Swedish Transport Administration is in the process of looking at double tracks between Luleå and Boden, on the southern part of Malmbanan, says Carlsson.

In addition to more crossing tracks, the maximum “axle pressure” on the wagons must also be increased from 31 to 32.5 tonnes.

– This cooperation will be absolutely crucial for Norway’s security in the future.

This is how the CEO of Bane Nor, Thor Gjermund Eriksen, summarizes the cooperation between the three Nordic nations.

– It is absolutely crucial, both for civilian traffic, but not least when we look at all this heavy equipment that is going over, he says and adds:

– This is historic that military transport runs between Norway and Sweden in that way, and then it is necessary that Ofotbanen is “ship shape”, and can withstand heavy loads.

Double track or not?

After the derailments this winter, the debate around Ofotbanen/Malmbanen should have had double tracks.

One of those who has been the clearest is Narvik mayor Rune Edvardsen (Ap).

– In the current situation, with NATO on the field, it is very important to get it in place. Admittedly, there will be crossing tracks before too long, but the need will soon increase to double tracks anyway, points out the mayor.

– It is important both for Norway, the Nordic countries and NATO, he adds.

– What signals did you get from the ministers?

– I have a good dialogue with Nygård, and it was nice to talk to the Swedish and Finnish ministers today. We have a common understanding of where things stand, and a lot of good things are going on now.

But transport minister Nygaard says there won’t be double tracks on the stretch any time soon.

– We agree that we should increase capacity because the government has proposed building three crossing tracks. This is what our analyzes show is needed in the medium term.

He does not, however, rule out that in the future there may be a need to expand capacity.

– If you build enough crossing tracks, there will eventually be double tracks. But right now, neither we nor the Swedish side are considering starting double track development now.