Transport and infrastructure

The Government wants to introduce new regulations to reduce the risk of accidents for short tractors with semi-trailers, known as EU trailers. The proposal is now being presented to the European Commission so that the Government can later take a decision on it.

There are already provisions in place whereby information registered on passenger lists should be preceded by controls of valid ID documents. However, there are limits on the extent to which this applies. The Government now wants to ensure that ID checks are carried out on all passengers travelling by ship and has therefore adopted a legislative amendment.

As a consequence of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Europe is facing the greatest and fastest-growing refugee crisis since the Second World War. The Government sees a need to be able to reintroduce ID checks for travel to Sweden.

Heads of state and government from the EU and the African Union (AU) will meet in Brussels on 17–18 February. It is the seventh time the EU and AU leaders will meet. The aim is to establish foundations for a renewed and deepened partnership between the two unions. The leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration on closer cooperation in a range of areas. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will represent Sweden.

Sweden has been elected as a member of the Council of the International Maritime Organization. This means that Sweden will have greater opportunities to push for issues such as increased maritime safety and reduced environmental and climate impact of maritime transport.

The second week of UN COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow is currently in progress. Minister for Infrastructure Tomas Eneroth is in attendance together with transport ministers from around the world and other international actors. Sweden is taking part in a number of global initiatives to pick up the pace in the transition to emissions-free transport.

The Government has taken a decision on precise regulations for foreign road transport companies operating national road haulage in Sweden. At the same time, the penalty fees for infringements of the regulations will be increased from SEK 40 000 to SEK 60 000.

To further accelerate the electrification of the transport sector, the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) was commissioned by the Government to help build knowledge in this area. This need has been clearly highlighted in the work of the Government’s strategic innovation partnership programme Climate neutral industry.

Sweden’s target is net zero emissions by 2045, at the latest, and negative emissions thereafter. The net zero target means that, in principle, greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector need to be zero by 2045. Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector account for about one-third of emissions in Sweden, and road transport is the main source of these emissions.

The situation for the travel industry remains serious. Earlier in the pandemic, travellers sometimes accepted replacement holidays instead of a refund when package tours were cancelled due to the outbreak. Many of these replacement holidays are now also being cancelled. The Government is therefore working on a proposal that will give package tour operators the option of taking government loans to refund money to travellers. The proposal is based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Increased safety at sea and reduced environmental and climate impact from shipping are important issues that Sweden is currently pursuing as a Member of the IMO. Sweden is standing for a seat on the Council, which is the executive body of the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The Swedish Government decided today on certain amendments to the ban on entering Sweden from the United Kingdom, Norway and Denmark. The amendments include an exemption from the entry ban for people who are to receive certain types of care in Sweden.

The Government decided today on certain amendments to the ban on entry into Sweden from the United Kingdom and Denmark. The amendments have been made to enable children and parents to spend time together and to facilitate certain medical transport services from Denmark. In addition, the time-limited ordinance will be extended until 31 January 2021.

Global warming continues regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. Climate change will remain the defining issue of our generation. The Government is therefore proposing investments of SEK 9.7 billion in green recovery initiatives in the Budget Bill for 2021. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Travelling to European cities on the continent using climate-smart alternatives should be easy. The Government is therefore investing in night trains to Europe to provide greater opportunities for low-carbon travel using public transport. The Swedish Transport Administration will now be instructed to conduct a procurement procedure with the aim of establishing night train services between Malmö and Brussels, and Stockholm and Hamburg, by 1 August 2022.

It has recently been decided that eight Swedish projects will receive funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

On 30 June, SAS presented a plan for the recapitalisation of the company and a plan to accelerate its climate action, including the halving of emissions by 2030. The Government has the Riksdag’s mandate to participate in the recapitalisation on behalf of the Swedish State during 2020 to an amount not exceeding SEK 5 billion. The Government supports the plan that has now been put forward and the measures necessary for its realisation.

The Government proposes that the Riksdag authorise the Government to take part on behalf of the State in a recapitalisation of SAS AB (SAS) with an amount totalling SEK 5 billion at most. SAS is important to meeting society’s fundamental needs in terms of accessibility by air travel in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. This authorisation means that the Swedish State will be given a mandate to take the measures necessary to enable the State’s participation in a recapitalisation of SAS. If the Swedish State is to take part in a recapitalisation, the Government will work to ensure that SAS sets new ambitious goals to reduce emissions. Participation of the Swedish State also requires approval by the European Commission.

The Government proposes a capital injection of SEK 3 150 million to Swedavia AB in the amending budget to be presented to the Riksdag today. This capital injection will enable the Government to guarantee a state aviation network with good accessibility throughout the country.