It’s worth looking to the North: with their 27 million inhabitants, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland form the tenth largest region in Europe after Poland. With a combined gross domestic product of 1524 billion U.S. dollars, the region lies in sixth place after Russia and before Spain. What is particularly interesting is that the Nordic countries are currently investing heavily in their rail infrastructure.
Focusing on rail
Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland together have over 26,000 kilometers of railroad; over 7,000 kilometers of this is not yet electrified. However, the expansion of rail infrastructure is in full swing. In Norway, for instance, the country’s largest infrastructure project is being completed in the shape of the “Follo Line Oslo project,” which will create a high-speed line between Oslo and Ski. Stockholm is expanding its metro by 19.6 kilometers and 11 subway stations. Denmark recently opened the Copenhagen-Ringsted Double Track, while Finland improved the efficiency of the classification yard in Helsinki through HELRA – Helsinki Railway Yard.
The future holds high-volume contracts
There is a constant need for the maintenance of platforms and infrastructure, and there are several plans for the modernization and electrification of existing lines and signal systems. More than 110 billion Swiss francs have been set aside in the various national transport plans of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland for the coming decade. For instance, in the Finnish capital, the Helsinki City Rail Loop is set to divert commuter trains into tunnels beneath the city center. In the meantime, Sweden is focusing on its high-speed network: the Gothenburg-Borås High Speed Line and the Lund-Hässleholm High Speed Line are intended to help the population to travel more quickly and sustainably. There are also numerous projects in the context of the ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) that are intended to expand the management and control of rail traffic on trans-European network routes.
The major potential of Swiss companies
The realization of such highly complex projects requires specialists from around the world. Switzerland, in particular, has a great deal of know-how and optimal quality to offer, as the example of Stadler Rail demonstrates very nicely: the Swiss specialist in track vehicles has supplied over 400 trains to the region. Some 50 percent of Norway’s rolling stock comes from Stadler Rail. Not only does this make the Nordic countries one of Stadler Rail’s most important regions; it also reflects their potential for the Swiss rail industry and the associated infrastructure providers.
Our webinar
The only question that remains is how you can take advantage of this potential too. In our free webinar recording, you can find out how you, as a Swiss company, can become part of major rail projects in the Nordic countries. You will get detailed insights and benefit from the experiences of Swiss companies that are already working in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland.
