Sweden is going ahead with significant investments in the Iron Ore Line (Swedish: Malmbanan). The far-north railway is crucial for the logistics operations of mines in the area. A lot of improvement projects on the line are starting this May.
The railway made headlines when three trains derailed in short succession in late 2023 and early 2024. As a consequence, the strategically important mines in the area suffered significantly from the reduced transport capacity. A better Iron Ore Line is vital for them.
Much change is coming with the start of significant projects in May. For example, the tracks between Gällivare and Råtsi, near Kiruna, will be replaced. It is a long strength of rail (almost 80 kilometres as the crow flies), so the track renewal will continue beyond 2025. Part of the aim here is to strengthen the rails’ substructure to allow for heavier trains.
More upgrades
Between Boden and Gällivare, the Iron Ore Line will get a catenary upgrade. A continuous 21-kilometre track replacement is also ongoing both in the northern and southern section of the line. Rail connections to the Peuravaara mining zone north of Kiruna and to the industrial zone Svartbyn in Boden will also be built.
Besides a long list of minor projects relating to maintenance, drainage, fencing and environmental integration starting this year, some major works are already underway. For example, Sweden is working to roll out ERTMS by 2029. It is also working on a new track connection to the LKAB mine in Kiruna, directly supporting one of the most important freight flows in the country.
Intensive planning is ongoing for more projects to further boost capacity. For example, Sweden intends to extend various rail yard to allow for longer trains.
“It feels incredibly important that we can continue with the necessary investments on the Iron Ore Line. This is to ensure that the railway works for today’s needs, but also to be able to meet an even greater future need for transport and passenger traffic on our artery here in the north,” commented Staffan Ökvist, a department lead at the Swedish Transport Administration.