Norway is one of the toughest and most challenging transportation markets, due to the winter that prevails there for more than half the year in places, the mountainous and steep terrain, and the often-closed roads.
It is therefore not the most popular destination for European carriers, and even more so during the winter season. Deliveries to Oslo and the surrounding area are fairly common, while the Bergen area, Ålesund or the entire Nordland, Troms and Finnmark regions are places where special preparation is needed.
Here are some of the main factors affecting transportation difficulties in Norway:
- during the winter, proper tires and chains are mandatory equipment. A large proportion of “European” drivers are unable to drive effectively on ice and snow and use the required chains properly, causing them to cause many accidents and block roads.
- Since 2014, ideas have been pushed in the Norwegian government to issue special “winter permits” to foreign companies, which would help improve road safety. Each driver would have to pass an additional exam to receive such a permit.
- hefty fines. Fines in Norway for speeding are very high. Exceeding the speed limit in a built-up area by more than 30 km/h means loss of the driver's license and a fine of about PLN 5,000.
- customs clearance. Norway is not a member of the European Union, so there is a need for customs clearance, which in turn involves filling out additional documents.
roadside inspections - road checks. Norwegian roadside inspections involve a meticulous check of the entire vehicle. Any - even the smallest doubt - results in being referred for servicing and inspection. This practice on the part of the Norwegian state is intended to ensure the greatest possible safety on the road, but also to protect their market from the hegemony of companies from Central and Eastern Europe.
- closed roads. Many sections of roads during the winter peak are closed for safety reasons, or until the relevant services can deal with unblocking the massive amounts of snow.
- technology. In Norway, the permissible gross vehicle weight with one semitrailer is 60 tons. In practice, therefore, all Norwegian trucks are three-axle tractors, which perfectly pass the test in winter conditions. Such do not pass the test in Poland, because they reduce the vehicle's payload to fit within the 40-ton GVW required.
Norway is our main area of business. For 13 years we have specialized in deliveries to this Scandinavian country, especially in winter conditions. We ensure that cargo is transported on time, even during the harshest weather conditions.