The allegations of distorted competition are put forward in a complaint to the Norwegian Railway Inspectorate from a competitor of CargoNet. The complaint is directed to the Norwegian National Rail Administration and concerns access to terminals. The complaint, however, also provides a basis for the Norwegian Competition Authority to look further at conditions of competition.

– Given that Norway now has the objective to move more freight off the roads and onto rail, we must also ensure that there is healthy competition under similar framework conditions for freight transport operators, said acting head of section Beate Milford Berrefjord of the Norwegian Competition Authority.

It is especially important to ensure that access to and use of the rail infrastructure is shared and can be used in a non-discriminatory manner. The Norwegian Competition Authority will now investigate whether there are elements of this complaint that can be problematic in light of this.

– CargoNet has today close to an exclusive right to operate the rail freight terminals in Norway. Simultaneously, the company is clearly the largest freight transport operator and thus the largest user of the terminals. It is therefore important for the Norwegian Competition Authority, in cooperation with the Norwegian Railway Inspectorate, to look into this market, Berrefjord pointed out.

The Norwegian Competition Authority has asked CargoNet to respond by 25th February 2010.