The Norwegian rail freight sector has been facing significant challenges throughout 2025 with three major closures, one of which is still ongoing. The Norwegian government is now proposing a compensation scheme in order to provide some relief to operators.
The three major closures affected the Dovre Line, the Rauma Line and the Nordlands Line. The first one, connecting Trondheim to Oslo, was closed between January and April 2025 due to damage caused by extreme weather conditions to the Otta Bridge. The second one, running between Åndalsnes and Dombås, was closed between July and October due to a landslide. Finally, the third one, linking Trondheim and Bodø, has been closed since August, always because of a landslide, with an expected reopening for next summer.
Old and new money
The scheme suggested by the Norwegian ministry of transport and communications aims at compensating companies for revenue losses linked to these closures. For the interruptions of traffic along the Dovre Line, the government allocated 5,9 million euros (70 million NOK). The ministry has proposed to use these funds also to compensate for financial losses linked to the closure of the Rauma Line.
For the Nordlands Line, Norway’s longest line, the Norwegian ministry pledged to introduce a compensation scheme between 12,7 and 16,9 million euros (150-200 million NOK). “The Government will return with more detailed budget requirements in connection with the revised national budget for 2026”, the ministry specified. Despite a projected reopening of the line for next summer, there is no exact date set as of yet.
The introduction of a compensation scheme was warmly welcomed by Onrail, one of the largest rail freight operators in Norway. “This is good reading for the employees of Onrail, who have been extraordinarily affected by closed railway lines over the past two years. The government should be commended for having taken care of the freight train industry”, the company said on LinkedIn.