Strengthened Transport Preparedness Between Nordic Countries
News 2026-03-16
The Nordic transport ministers have agreed on a joint strategy to ensure that their countries’ transport systems can be used safely and efficiently across borders, even in times of crisis and war.
Cooperation on Nordic transport preparedness has taken on new significance now that the entire Nordic region forms a contiguous NATO area. Transport preparedness is no longer solely a national concern, but a shared security issue in which resilient transport flows are essential for both civilian and military mobility. The Nordic countries are highly dependent on each other’s transport infrastructure.
On Wednesday, the Nordic transport ministers agreed on a joint strategy for a Nordic transport system that remains operational even in times of crisis or war, during a meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland.
Strategy commissioned by the ministers
Ahead of the meeting in Rovaniemi, the Nordic transport authorities, through the Nordic Transport Preparedness Cooperation (NTPC) platform, developed the joint strategy Joint Nordic Strategy for Transport System Preparedness. The strategy was commissioned by the ministers and forms the basis for their discussions and agreement.
The strategy provides a stronger basis for prioritising future measures, enhances cross-border transport capabilities and contributes to greater regional resilience.
The strategy focuses on infrastructure bottlenecks, equipment, services and regulations, as well as ensuring that border crossings function effectively and efficiently.
Transport systems essential for preparedness
The Nordic transport systems must meet both civilian and military needs. The transport system is essential for the countries’ preparedness, security of supply, imports, exports and military mobility.
The strategy draws on work carried out within TEN-T, Nordefco, Nato and the EU, and is based on a shared evidence base developed by NTPC member countries, covering strategic scenarios, transport corridors, challenges and identified bottlenecks.
About NTPC
Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland and Sweden cooperate in the transport sector to prevent, mitigate and manage the consequences of major accidents, natural disasters and other societal crises, including, ultimately, war.
This cooperation takes place within the framework of NTPC, Nordic Transport Preparedness Cooperation.
The aim of NTPC is to develop cooperation between relevant authorities and stakeholders to establish strategies and concrete measures to ensure that the transport system continues to function even in times of crisis or war.
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Several Swedish authorities participate (the Swedish Transport Administration, which coordinates Sweden’s participation, the Swedish Maritime Administration, the Air Navigation Services of Sweden, the Swedish Transport Agency, the Swedish Coast Guard, the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Civil Defence Agency).
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Preparedness cooperation covers all modes of transport, including aviation, maritime transport, rail and road transport.
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We are further developing Nordic cooperation as a natural consequence of our NATO membership.