Instead of spending billions on the Nord-Norgebanen, we must invest in sea transport and existing railways that ensure value creation in the north. The new National Transport Plan (NTP) should not allocate a single kroner to Nord-Norgebanen. It is neither sustainable nor beneficial to society to spend NOK 280 billion on a line with a limited basis for passenger traffic – and which does not cover the transport needs of business. In addition, a report from the Norwegian Railway Directorate (KVU Nord-Norgebanen) shows that the track has a negative impact on reindeer husbandry, climate, environment and nature. Northern Norway creates many jobs and great value in farming, fisheries and industry. Around a quarter of all value creation in Northern Norway comes from the sea, and everything indicates that it will increase. The OECD estimates that 50 percent of the growth in the world economy towards 2030 will come from the sea. At the same time, the government writes in the Hurdal platform that it wants to double exports from the mainland by 2030. We are convinced that the government must look north in the country and out to sea to fulfill these ambitions. The major railway project in Northern Norway should be the upgrading of the existing lines – Ofotbanen and Nordlandsbanen. The Ofot line runs from Narvik into Sweden, where it connects to the Nordic rail network. It is Norway’s busiest railway with a critical function for the Norwegian economy. The line is important for the Nordic region as a freight corridor, and the geopolitical situation means that it is becoming increasingly important for defence, security and preparedness. Unfortunately, the capacity is too small, and an extension to double track would be very economically profitable. Nordlandsbanen also needs upgrading. It must have zero emissions, and freight trains must be given priority at given times. Businesses in northern Norway have increasingly taken up the Nordlandsbanen line, and now the section needs more crossing tracks and more capacity. The alternative is more environmentally unfriendly heavy transport on already heavily congested roads. The other transport needs in the north can be met with climate-friendly and environmentally friendly sea transport, which in the future will use battery-powered autonomous ships or hybrid solutions. Enova has supported a freight route along the sea route between Bodø, Harstad and Tromsø that will transport containers and wagon trains. In addition, Narvik will connect rail and sea for destinations in Troms, Lofoten and Vesterålen for seafood exports to the south, and groceries and more to the north. But there is still a long way to go. Ironically, a report from the National Roads Administration (KVU Nord-Norge) uses the first five chapters to emphasize the region’s dependence on sea transport. But they hardly mention how this will be used to increase export revenues or reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the coming decades. Therefore, the huge potential that lies in an upgrade of the ports in the region has not been looked into in more detail. It is high time that the politicians in the Storting get the Norwegian railway debate on the right (double) track in Northern Norway. Nord-Norgebanen is a side track in both the literal and figurative sense. Instead, NTP should have a heavy focus on Ofotbanen and Nordlandsbanen, and strengthen the large ports in the north to provide better facilitation for the transition between rail and sea transport. Only then can we talk about a sustainable transport system on rails and refrigerate into the future.
ttn-69
The future is on rails and sea in the north – Ytring
