AIR CARG O WEEK


WEEKLY NEWS Did You Know ? ICE ROUTES TO THE AIRPORT BY Michael SALES


THE extreme Arctic conditions in northern Norway have been causing accidents and blockages in previous winters. In response to the prob- lem, leading salmon farming companies have been forced to take action and are now insisting that transport companies must have specially prepared trucks that can handle Norway’s extreme winter conditions. Coupled with high mountain passes, high winds, and frequent fog, these are extremely difficult to handle. Snow and ice created some serious problems last winter, which were aggravated by additional issues with rail transport. Winter also lasts longer in the north, with temperatures dropping to -40°C with heavy snowfalls, blizzards, and black ice, making road grip a constant concern. Trygg Trailer, run by the Norwegian Public Road Administration


(NPRA), identifies operators, especially foreign ones, whose vehicles are not adequately prepared for winter weather and rejects them when necessary. Drivers must be highly experienced, and their vehicles me- ticulously prepared to handle conditions like heavy snow, black ice, and


roads, but a layer of snow and ice often remains. In severe weather, mountain passes may close or only allow traffic to travel in a convoy led by snowploughs. Drivers must have enough fuel and supplies to wait for hours in extreme cold. The 1,800 km journey to the main Oslo Gar-


dermoen Airport delivers Norway’s vital salmon exports, worth €10.8 billion in 2024. Many facilities are being built to streamline processing and logistics for airfreight, especially salmon.


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strong winds. The winter season is from 16 October to 30 April in the northern counties of Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark. Key regulations and requirements include: Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes


must have winter tyres marked with the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) symbol. Drivers must carry sufficient snow chains (typical- ly seven for a truck with a trailer) in winter, regardless of current road conditions. Drivers must know how to fit them quickly and must carry a reflective jacket (accessible from the driver's seat), a warning triangle, a shovel, and warm clothing/supplies in case of getting stuck. The gen- eral speed limit for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes is 80 km/h, even if a higher speed is signposted. Many roads are narrow, winding, and steep, often running along cliffs or through tight tunnels. Snowploughs clear main


www.aircargoweek.com 24 NOVEMBER 2025 ACW


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