The strategy was presented in Rovaniemi (northern Finland) by the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications and aims to strengthen preparedness, supply security, and resilience in the Nordic transport system. It was subsequently handed over to the Nordic transport ministers.
The goal is to create a robust and coherent transport system that operates in all security situations and can support both civilian and military needs. The strategy is also intended to improve cross-border transport, strengthen military transport, and secure supply chains, according to Finland's Ministry of Transport and Communications.
As part of the work, the strategy identifies four priority transport corridors in the Nordics that should be usable for both civilian and military purposes. The corridors include important sea routes near the Swedish coast as well as land-based routes between Norway, Sweden, and Finland via cities such as Gothenburg (Göteborg), Haparanda, Tornio (Torneå), Oulu (Uleåborg), and Rovaniemi.
The strategy also includes recommended measures in four areas: infrastructure, transport services, equipment, and regulations and working methods. For Finland, the need to renew the icebreaker fleet, plan railway lines with European gauge on certain stretches, improve road E8 between Tornio and Kilpisjärvi, and develop maritime connections and cross-border infrastructure are highlighted.
The work on the strategy has been carried out in collaboration between Nordic transport and defence authorities following an initiative from the Nordic transport ministers. Several of the identified projects are already underway.
The strategy was handed over to Finland's Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne, Sweden's Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson, and Jakob Vorren, Secretary of State in Norway's Minister of Transport and Communications Jon-Ivar Nygård.
In conjunction with the meeting in Rovaniemi, the ministers also plan to visit the multinational military exercise Cold Response 26 in Lapland on 12 March. The exercise gathers thousands of soldiers from NATO allies and Nordic countries and aims to strengthen regional security and cooperation in Northern Europe.