10 LOGISTIC


SCA LOGISTICS


Pulp Paper & Logistics


Heavier, but not heavy enough


The use of higher-capacity trucks in Sweden has been welcomed by the forestry and paper industry, but even larger trucks would be better


Karolina Boholm, Director Transport Policy at the Swedish Forest Industries Federation


introduction of heavier 64-tonne capacity trucks from the beginning of June this year. But higher- capacity vehicles would be more efficient, says the forest industry. “We see it as an important first


T


step. The decision is good but does not go far enough,” says Karolina Boholm, director of transport policy at the Swedish Forest Industries Federation. The decision to allow 64-tonne


trucks on Sweden’s roads follows years of negotiations. A study of this new regulation was made last year and the government’s directive was to investigate the possibilities


he Swedish pulp and paper sector, along with many other industries, has welcomed the


to increase the maximum weight to 74 tonnes. However, the actual increase was only to 64 tonnes. “This decision only shows that


the government has understood that higher maximum weights are important and that it is a good way to make transportation more efficient. Nevertheless, the goal is still 74 tonnes and we will continue to debate this as before,” Boholm continues. According to the Swedish Forest Industries Federation, a permitted maximum weight of 74 tonnes would lead to an additional fuel consumption saving of 17 per cent, which would provide considerable reductions in economic and environmental impacts. “We welcome the increase


but we think it’s strange that the government opposes a solution that reduces fossil fuel emissions. The government must continue its efforts to also decide to allow 74-tonne trucks in Sweden,” Boholm says. Nonetheless, leading logistics


specialist SCA Logistics says it is positive about the increase that has been introduced, even if the ambition remains to aim for 74 tonnes. Says Magnus Svensson, president of SCA Logistics, which is based at Sundsvall in Sweden: “It’s a step in the right direction that will make road transportation more efficient to a certain degree, because we can transport the same amounts with slightly fewer trucks. It is primarily heavy products and input goods


for industry that benefit from the increase. In our region, it will be first and foremost transportation of roundwood to industries that improves. “SCA Logistics’ potential is slightly


more limited since our primary sector is the transportation of finished products. Even so, we’ll clearly benefit from the increase,” Svensson says. At the same time as it announced its decision, the Swedish government also commissioned the National Transport Administration to consider possibilities to operate longer and heavier trains on the Swedish rail network. The National Transport Administration is to submit its report by 31 August 2015 at the latest.


74-tonne trucks important for competition


Trucks with a gross weight of 76 tonnes have been in use in Finland since 2013, but the decision to adopt these bigger trucks in Sweden is taking time. “It is very disappointing that the government is dragging its feet on


July/August 2015


this important issue,” says president of SCA Logistics Magnus Svensson. Finland’s decision to increase the


gross weight was partly based on Swedish trials. From a competition point of view it is important that the Swedish government strengthen


the industry’s prerequisites to keep pace with our neighbour, Magnus Svensson points out. “It is a matter of urgency that


the government permits 74-tonne trucks on Swedish roads as soon as possible. Such a decision can


really boost the efficiency of land transportation, benefiting the environment, traffic safety and competitiveness. In particular as they are already allowed in Finland – our primary competitor in the region.”


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