Page 15 - FDMAsia Jul/Aug 2026

MARKET BEATS 13
www.fdmasia.com | FDM ASIA JUL/AUG 2026

Sweden Eases Timber Transport Driving Rules Following Storm

Getty Images

According to trafficban.com, more than two million cubic material, the authorities decided to temporarily ease some
metres of fallen timber remains in Swedish forests after requirements concerning drivers’ working time.
storm Dave. Under the new rules, drivers transporting timber will be
To speed up its removal, the Swedish Transport Agency, allowed to drive for a maximum of 10 hours per day instead
Transportstyrelsen, is today introducing temporary exemptions of the standard nine hours.
from the rules on driving time and rest periods for round The total driving time over two consecutive weeks will be
timber transport. increased from 90 to 112 hours. At the same time, weekly
The decision is intended to help deal with the aftermath working time must not exceed 60 hours.
of storm Dave, which caused extensive damage to forests In addition, hauliers using the exemptions will not be

in southern Sweden in early April. The exemptions will apply required to compensate for reduced weekly rest, which is
from 15 June to 15 July 2026. normally required under the applicable regulations.
Storm Dave passed through part of the country on 5 April, All other rules concerning working time and rest periods
causing significant damage to forest stands. According to remain unchanged. The exemptions will apply only to commercial
estimates by the Swedish Forest Agency, the storm brought transport of round timber from forests damaged by storm
down more than two million cubic metres of timber. Dave, carried out in the regions of Halland, Jönköping, Kalmar,
Due to the need to quickly remove the damaged raw Kronoberg, Västra Götaland and Östergötland.