The project was carried out between 2021 and 2025 with participation from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Its purpose was to develop business models and solutions that increase load factors, improve flow efficiency, and strengthen the use of intermodal transport in the Nordic region. The goals included greater responsibility from cargo owners, enhanced horizontal collaboration between actors, promotion of climate-smart transport solutions, and increased digitalization.
The project began with a mapping of available statistics and tools (including Samgods, NGM, GMM), as well as the identification of barriers and incentives for intermodality and higher load factors.
The project worked with four demonstrators:
Green Rail: Development of an intermodal rail solution for fresh fish transport between Northern Norway and the Netherlands. Results indicate potential for 15–20 % lower costs and significantly better climate performance compared to road transport but require high reliability and clear allocation of responsibilities.
Slow Flow: A digital planning tool that helps shippers identify and compare intermodal transport solutions. The tool received positive feedback but needs to be expanded to cover all of Europe.
Normtrap-T: A simulation model for analysing intermodal production systems. It has strong potential but was limited by a lack of reliable data, requiring further methodological development.
Capture and Share Data: Testing of sensors and data sharing to create real-time information on freight trains. The prototype shows potential but needs further verification and collaboration with users.
Conclusions and recommendations:
Intermodal solutions can be effective in logistics systems with high requirements, but they demand strong commitment from shippers and carriers, as well as reliable routines and clear responsibility sharing.
Digital tools (Slow Flow, Normtrap-T) can play an important role and contribute to increased intermodality, but they need further development.
Data capture and sharing have great potential to improve transparency and efficiency but must be developed in close collaboration with market actors.