Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness published – closer cooperation for stronger critical connectivity
Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications published a Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness on 11 March 2026. The strategy was handed over to the Nordic transport ministers in Rovaniemi where the ministers also issued a joint statement. As part of their meeting, the ministers will also visit the multinational Cold Response 26 military exercise in Lapland on 12 March 2026.
The Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness will enhance preparedness and security of supply in the transport sector. Its vision is a robust, well-connected and resilient Nordic transport system that supports both civilian and military needs and remains operational under all security situations.
Finland’s Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne, Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson and State Secretary to Norway’s Minister of Transport and Communications Jakob Vorren received the strategy in Rovaniemi on 11 March 2026. They held an informal meeting in Rovaniemi to discuss how the strategy will be utilised and monitored at the national level.
Norway’s Minister of Transport and Communications Jon-Ivar Nygård and Iceland’s Minister of Infrastructure Eyjólfur Ármannsson joined the transport ministers of Finland and Sweden in a statement where the ministers emphasised the significance of preparedness, security of supply and military mobility for the transport sector.
“Northern connectivity is critical not only for the Nordic countries but also for the EU and NATO. The new strategy concretely highlights the critical nature of the northern transport infrastructure and the need to strengthen it. It is the first of its kind and sets an example for the rest of Europe. Infrastructure projects take long to complete, and many of the actions proposed in the strategy are already being promoted. With this strategy, we commit together to preparedness and to promoting the most critical projects, while at the same time gaining a good foundation for EU project funding,” said Finland’s Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.
“During the meeting in Rovaniemi, we transport ministers from the Nordic countries Sweden, Finland and Norway will, among other things, follow the Cold Response 2026 exercise, which is expected to provide valuable experience to be included in the continued Nordic cooperation on transport preparedness. The Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness was requested by the Nordic transport ministers and their ministries. It can form the basis for continued Nordic cooperation on transport preparedness at the agency, ministry and political level. We agree that the changed geopolitical and security situation requires deepened co-operation on the preparedness agenda in the Nordic transport sector. It is therefore important that we in the continued cooperation can quickly identify concrete priority measures with the aim of strengthening capabilities for transport preparedness, military mobility and supply security,” said Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson.
“The needs of cross-border military mobility, civil preparedness and security of supply should be an integrated part of the planning processes in all the Nordic countries, and the joint Nordic strategy will be a key tool in this work”, said Norway’s Minister of Transport and Communications Jon-Ivar Nygård.
“The Joint Nordic Transport Preparedness Strategy is an important step in strengthening cross-border connectivity and resilience across the Nordic transport system. For Iceland, close co-operation with our neighboring countries is vital. However, as an island in the North Atlantic, Iceland’s cross-border connectivity relies heavily on aviation and maritime transport, reflecting our unique geographic circumstances. We welcome that the recommendations identified in the strategy will be elaborated on further, taking into account the contrasting circumstances of our countries. We believe that close dialogue and strong relationships between our authorities are essential to ensuring that transport systems in the Nordic countries remain resilient in the face of possible disruption,” said Iceland’s Minister of Infrastructure Eyjólfur Ármannsson.
The joint strategy will strengthen Nordic cooperation
The Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness aims to build a transport system where cross-border connections, roads, rails and bridges retain their capacity and resilience in all conditions. Its key objective is to strengthen Nordic transport system preparedness by improving cross-border connectivity, by enhancing military mobility and by supporting secure and resilient supply chains.
The strategy identifies four prioritised transport corridors that should be suitable for dual use, supporting both civilian and military transport needs:
- Preparedness-critical sea routes, especially routes close to the Swedish coast
- Route from Norway to Finland via Sweden: Øresund–Trelleborg–Göteborg/Gävle–Stockholm/Hanko–Turku–Naantali, with an extension from Oslo
- Route from Sweden to Finland: Göteborg/Hallsberg/Haparanda–Tornio/Oulu/Rovaniemi, with an extension from Boden to the Fjord of Ofoten and Narvik in Norway
- Route from Norway to Finland via Sweden: Trondheim/Sundsvall/Rauma–Pori.
The strategy outlines recommended development actions across four sectors: infrastructure, transport services, equipment, and regulation and practices. It identifies the following development needs for Finland:
- Renewal of the icebreaker fleet
- Planning of European-gauge rail connections on the routes Haparanda–Tornio–Kemi and Tornio–Oulu–Rovaniemi
- Improvement of the E8 road from Tornio to Kilpisjärvi
- Improvement of sea lines to sea ports
- Development of cross-border connections such as bridges.
Projects that are already under way include the renewal of the icebreaker fleet, the planning of a European-gauge railway on the route Haparanda–Tornio–Kemi and the improvement of the E8 road from Tornio to Kilpisjärvi.
The strategy was developed in cooperation between Nordic defence and transport authorities at the request of the Nordic transport ministers.
Minister will visit the Cold Response 26 exercise to learn about infrastructure in the north
On Finland’s invitation, the ministers will visit the multinational Cold Response 26 military exercise in Lapland on 12 March 2026 to learn about infrastructure in the north. The exercise will convene thousands of soldiers from Allied ground, naval, air and special forces to the northern areas of Finland, Norway and Sweden in March 2026. The exercise will strengthen national defence capability, regional security and cooperation between NATO Allies and Nordic countries.
Inquiries:
Requests for interviews with Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne: Markus Liesegang, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 042, [email protected]
Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness and joint statement: Kaisa Kuukasjärvi, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 342 030, [email protected]
