Logistics more important in a threatening world

Luleå Infrastructure and transport was the theme when Logistics Day North was held for the 12th time in Luleå. The opening speaker, Colonel Lars Karlsson, set the tone when he described security policy changes in our world. The increasing threat from Russia and Sweden's and Finland's NATO membership, makes railways and roads increasingly important.

Sweden has an important role in NATO, where we lie between Norway and Finland. Functioning transport through Sweden is important in NATO planning. Not least transport in a west-east direction. LKAB can get support from NATO in the quest for double tracks on the Malmbanan railway.

"Railway capacity must increase, and redundancy. We are waiting to see what NATO needs," said Colonel Lars Karlsson, Head of the Northern Military Region at the Swedish Armed Forces. He cited the double track on the Malmbanan railway as an example of strategic, increased railway capacity.

Tanja Rasmusson, head of industrial policy at the Swedish Construction Federation, talked about construction companies as part of total defence, based on what we are now seeing happening in Ukraine:

"Unfortunately, it is not difficult to see what can happen here. What is destroyed in war must be rebuilt quickly. This is important both for defence capability and for the will to defend. What does not work well today will be a security risk in the future," she said in her speech, and also mentioned the Malmbanan railway, where she thinks it is good that opportunities are being opened up for alternative financing.

Another theme that recurred many times during the day was cooperation and collaboration between different parties as important success factors for running projects and creating development. Several participants emphasised Luleå and Norrbotten as role models in this area.

Other speakers during Logistics Day North were Andreas Carlson, Swedish Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Kristina Alvendal, Industry Coordinator at the Government's Acceleration Office, and Pekka Petäjäniemi, Director of Procurement at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency.

Companies whose activities and plans were presented were Finnish Nurminen Logistics, german Uniper, Scanlog, LKAB, Myloc Construction, German PWC Germany, Stegra, Polar Structure and the municipality of Boden's joint Boden Järnväg AB, Luleå kommunföretag, Itid and Swedavia.

It was the 12th time Norrbotten Chamber of Commerce hosted Logistics Day North. This year, the number of participants broke records: 285 participants from business, politics and academia gathered in Kulturens hus in Luleå on Wednesday.

Lennart Håkansson

editor@northswedenbusiness.com