Why the choice of gateway is becoming increasingly important

Global shipping is changing, with larger vessels and fewer port calls. This increases the importance of ports that can handle large volumes efficiently and offer strong connections to inland markets.

The development is driven by both economic and sustainability considerations. When more cargo can be transported on each voyage, costs and emissions per container are reduced. As a result, more cargo is being concentrated at ports with the right conditions in terms of capacity, draft and efficient inland transport connections.

This makes shipping lines’ choice of gateway increasingly important.

“The trend towards larger vessels looks set to continue. This puts greater demands on ports to handle higher volumes at the quay, but also to provide efficient transport networks into the country. There is no doubt that rail will play an important role in this development,” says Per Wahlström, Market Analyst at APM Terminals Gothenburg.

APM Terminals Gothenburg is the only port in Sweden able to receive direct ocean-going services. The two weekly calls bring significant import volumes into Sweden, which are then distributed to different parts of the country through an extensive rail network.

The development is also reflected in the figures. Between January and June 2026, 56% of Sweden’s containerised imports moved through APM Terminals Gothenburg, compared with 54% during the same period the previous year. This means that an increasing share of Sweden’s import flows is moving through Gothenburg.