Flexible M4 is on track for strong growth
Eskilstuna’s intermodal terminal handles around 30,000 TEUs (20-foot containers) annually, yet they only account for 30% of the total volumes. Instead, the rail yard is dominated by trailers, a cargo type that has seen enormous growth in recent years. At the same time, M4, the terminal operator, is well-prepared to handle even more freight, according to Team Leader Lennie Edman.
- We offer a broad range of services and are highly flexible. Simply put, we work with whatever is in front of us. Customers ask about everything from container stuffing to transshipment and storage. We try to assist with everything, large or small, and connect the goods with various partners, such as rail operators, to provide the best possible customer service.
Sustainability is a top priority for M4, and efficiency is the key driver in how they implement it. One concrete example is minimizing transport movements within the terminal, reducing tire wear and fuel consumption. They have also installed EV chargers, conducted test runs with electric vehicles, and noticed a growing number of hauliers using HVO fuel, which Lennie Edman finds encouraging.
The close collaboration with the Port of Gothenburg contributes to both sustainability and efficiency. Every container arriving in Eskilstuna is labeled delivery information, schedule, and final destination.
- This allows us to place containers in the right location, minimizing the number of lifts needed. We can also load and unload trucks faster, making transports even more efficient.
Lennie Edman confirms the reliability of rail transport:
- The reliability from Gothenburg is significantly better than from other ports. The Swedish Transport Administration is good at planning traffic along the route. This is simply one of the most punctual trains.
The Gothenburg–Eskilstuna connection seems ideal for customers. Edman highlights the proximity to Stockholm, the excellent road connections to and from Eskilstuna, and how other rail terminals are easily accessible thanks to the main railway line.
- Direct trains to and from the Port of Gothenburg are crucial for many companies here. For example, cargo is loaded in Gothenburg in the afternoon and reaches us early the next morning. This is essential for businesses that depend on timely deliveries.
M4 is ready to grow its volumes. There is potential to optimize rail capacity, and the local government is highly responsive to their needs. Customers are seeking more storage options while maintaining an efficient flow of containers and trailers. Expanding capacity is necessary, but Edman sees this as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
- The ideal scenario would be a large new player in the region with high volumes to fill our departures—and maybe even create more. We are ready and have everything needed to be the optimal choice for both new and existing customers.
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