75 million for the new boat route will provide 14,000 fewer carriages in northern NRK

Until 2013, there was a cargo route at sea between Bodø and Tromsø.

The container ship “Tege” transported 20,000 containers of goods annually from the railway station in Bodø and northwards, equivalent to 10,000 trucks.

But the ship was old and impractical, and the loading route was closed.

There is now hope for a new sea route as an extension of the Nordland line between the two largest cities in northern Norway.

In the revised national budget presented on Tuesday, an additional NOK 25 million will be allocated in so-called cargo transfer funds administered by the Norwegian Coastal Administration.

This money is in addition to the 50 million already allocated for this purpose of the state budget.

One of those who has worked to get more money is Storting representative Jonny Finstad (H) from Nordland, who is a member of the transport and communication committee.

– Lots of benefits

– We are very pleased to have received an increase in the transfer of goods. This means that we can establish the Northern Norway line from Bodø and further north.

Behind the commercial cargo route are Bodø Port, Lødingen Port and Tromsø Port.

It will be of great importance to transport along the northern Norwegian coast that we can establish a boat route that can reduce the number of dangerous trucks on the roads, Finstad tells NRK.

There are more positive effects than fewer trucks and greater road safety on Norwegian roads.

– It is positive for the environment. We will establish a charging infrastructure that will benefit the entire region. And last but not least: increase the chances of a cheaper transport offer for companies.

He stresses that this is not a grant directly to the Northern Norway line. It is the Norwegian Coastal Administration that will administer the scheme and grant the request.

– The Norwegian Coastal Administration can now process the request at your table from the Norwegian North Line and some other shipping companies.

– 14,000 fewer trucks

Another politician who has worked to realize Norway’s northern line is Lars Vestnes, who is a group leader at Bodø Right.

He says that a sea route between Bodø and Tromsø, with the current traffic volume, will lead to 14,000 fewer trucks on the roads.

– Road safety is an important element. I have driven a lot on the roads in Nordland, and I saw the big difference in the number of trucks when “Tege” went to bed. During the night, the traffic situation was different.

Currently, there is talk of a boat route that will go between Bodø and Tromsø.

A new transport route will also be built from the railway to Bodø port.