Report
Id:
99-6

This report presents the results from a pilot action project on energy saving in transport of goods in three Nordic countries. The main object of the project is to develop and implement actions, strategies and measures for improved energy efficiency in transport of goods. The project uses 3 cases of natural resource based industries, one from each of the three Nordic countries Norway, Sweden and Finland. The cases are fish export in Norway, wood (paper) export in Finland and agricultural products (mainly grain) in Sweden. One company in each of the three countries are selected and possible pilot actions are identified in each of the companies.

The project constitutes 3 main phases: 1) Basic analytic activities, 2) Pilot actions in 3 "case"-companies and 3) Actions and measures in regional policies. This report presents the results from phase 1 of the project. This phase has included an analysis of transport means, transport volumes, load factors and energy use in transport of goods in the 3 Nordic countries. Historical data back to 1970 and prognosis up to year 2020 for the three major modes of goods transport road, rail and sea have been analysed. Both the volumes and the energy use have increased rapidly for road transport of goods in all the 3 countries. The increase appears to be largest in Norway with a more than doubling of transport volume between 1970 and 1995. The increase in energy use for road based goods transport is four-fold for the same period. Finland has doubled its energy-use for road transport of goods and the data for Sweden indicate a slightly lower increase. The prognosis for future road transport of goods calls for a continuation of the strong increase in all 3 Nordic countries. The sea transport are been reduced since 1970 in all 3 Nordic countries while the rail transport has remained fairly constant The future prognosis for rail transport of goods indicates an increase in all 3 countries.

A literature survey of energy saving in transport of goods has identified potential actions and measures at three levels; reduction of fuel consumption, increased load factor and transfer of goods from road to rail and sea. The possible energy saving effect of improved logistics has been identified as important. Case companies in all 3 countries have committed to participate in the project. The companies and the potential pilot actions to be carried out in the companies are described in the report.