BMT's Capacity 2015 project will assess how export and import patterns will develop in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden with the enlargement of the EU. The effect of traffic congestion increases on the Continent on the business strategies of distribution companies and the choices made by their customers for the transportation of goods will also be considered.

BMT will carry out much of the work using the advanced European Freight Model (EFM-STAN) simulation, which enables different transportation scenarios to be simulated and tested. Using these results, the company will define and analyse the most important transportation corridors. BMT and its research partners, which include the Centre for Maritime Studies of the University of Turku, will complete the project in September.

Lars Kallstrom, Managing Director of BMT Transport Solutions, said 'The freeing up of European trade boundaries is important to bring investment, jobs and prosperity to the region. However, the way in which the existing road, rail and sea network is being used at present simply is not viable in the long term.'

Commissioners in the Capacity 2015 project include Stena Line, Scandlines, TT-Line, Color Line, the Swedish Port of Trelleborg, and the Swedish Maritime Administration.

MJ Information No 19210