Maersk has launched a new block train between Haparanda, on the Finnish–Swedish border, and APM Terminals in Gothenburg. The first train was scheduled for 5 November 2026. Cargo from Finland and northern Sweden is consolidated in Haparanda and travels by electric rail to Gothenburg, where it connects to Maersk’s ocean services, including direct services to Asia.
- Frequency: two round trips a week at launch, with plans for four and later six.
- Transit time: for cargo from Oulu to Asia, about eight days shorter than traditional routes, according to Maersk.
- Winter: the route avoids ice in the Gulf of Bothnia.
Maersk names steel, forest, pulp and paper as the main industries it expects to use the service.
What this means for shippers
Exporters in northern Finland get a new year-round alternative to ports on the Gulf of Bothnia and in southern Finland, especially for cargo to Asia. The best route still depends on the cargo, destination and timetable, so we compare sea, rail and road options in every quote.
Source: Maersk.