News and press releases

VR and the Finnish Defence Forces deepen cooperation to strengthen Finland’s security of supply

Rail transportation is very important for military mobility. VR and the Finnish Defence Forces have signed a partnership agreement that strengthens rail transport capabilities that are critical to Finland’s security of supply and supports the Defence Forces’ military mobility.

3. September 2026 Press releases Rolling stock and technology Customer Topical

Hyvinkää–Hanko railway electrified – electric freight transport reduces emissions

With the electrification of the Hyvinkää–Hanko railway, VR’s electric freight transport has started on the railway section. The electrification of the railway will improve the efficiency of industrial rail transport and reduce the carbon footprint of transport.

3. February 2025 Press releases Responsibility Traffic Customer

VR focuses on rail transport in freight traffic – the sale of the road logistics unit to be completed

The transaction concerning the road logistics unit has been approved by the competition authority and completed on 31 December 2024.

31. December 2024 Press releases Traffic Group

VR focuses on rail transport in freight traffic – sells road logistics business to investment company Mutares

VR is focusing its logistics business on rail transport and is selling its road logistics unit to the investment company Mutares. As a result of the transaction, the personnel working in road logistics and customer contracts will be transferred to a newly established company. The completion of the transaction requires approval of Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority, which is expected by the end of the year.

15. November 2024 Press releases Traffic Topical

VR and Yara collaborate for the environment – rail traffic between Yara’s factories will now run entirely on electric power

VR and the fertiliser specialist Yara have agreed to continue their cooperation with a long-term agreement where both companies commit to a joint development programme to maximise the efficiency of railway transports and minimise environmental impact. The carbon dioxide emissions from the railway transports covered by the cooperation are approaching zero. With the electrification of the Iisalmi-Ylivieska railway section, all railway traffic between Yara's Finnish plants will now be fully electrically driven.

8. May 2024 Press releases Customer Responsibility

Towards more sustainable rail logistics with renewable diesel – VR and UPM Plywood collaborate to reduce traffic emissions

The sustainability collaboration between the companies is taking a significant step forward as VR commits to using as much renewable diesel in its rail traffic as is consumed by UPM Plywood’s transport of plywood from the Pellos plant to Kouvola and Kotka. This is VR’s first HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) concept for rail logistics, whereby emissions from customer transports in the Scope 1 emission class* are reduced to almost zero.

19. April 2024 Press releases Responsibility Customer

VR and SSAB are electrifying heavy industry transports – the first electric trucks to be introduced in traffic this year

The steel company SSAB Europe and VR's logistics unit VR Transpoint have launched a joint project to electrify heavy industry transport. VR is investing in low-emission road transport by acquiring all-electric trucks that will be used in the transports of SSAB Europe. In terms of total mass, the trucks to be procured will be some of the largest to operate electronically in regular customer deliveries in Finland. SSAB Europe, in turn, is investing in charging stations for heavy vehicles.

21. February 2024 Press releases Responsibility Traffic Rolling stock and technology Customer

VR seeks growth in logistics services from new industries and green transition

Rail transport produces less emissions and consumes less energy than other modes of transport. Therefore, it plays an essential role in reducing transport emissions. VR's logistics business, VR Transpoint, actively invests in three key growth areas that support the green transition: industrial investments, green transition investments and combined transport.

22. November 2023 Press releases Traffic Responsibility Customer

VR's new diesel locomotives introduced in freight traffic

VR's first brand new diesel locomotives will start operating in commercial traffic on Wednesday, May 3rd . The locomotives have undergone an extensive testing program. They have been customized to fulfill VR's needs and the Finnish weather and railway conditions. The new locomotives are especially suitable for heavy freight traffic.

3. May 2023 Press releases Responsibility Rolling stock and technology Customer