Page 29 - Sphere No.24 (Mar 2009)

SPHERE 27
UTCHISON’S PRESENCE in Sweden ex-
tends to two of the country’s most essential
businesses, providing 3G mobile services
and – with effect from March 2009 – handling the
port of Stockholm’s container operations.
Sweden has long relied on its international mari-
time trade, while it also witnessed the genesis of
mobile telephony.Ericsson and the then state-owned
telephone monopoly launched the world’s first mo-
bile phone system back in the 1950s, although it was
not particularly portable and snail-like compared to
Hutchison’s current 21 Mbps system. Current pen-
etration in Sweden is approximately 110 per cent,
and while Hutchison faces some stiff competition, it
remains the market leader.
Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) will operate the
container terminal within Stockholm Free Port, sup-
porting the company strategy of enlarging its presence
in growing markets. The primary aim is to increase
cargo handling capacity, which is currently in excess of
45,000 twenty-foot equivalent units per year.
HPHwill also be instrumental in developing a dynam-
ic new container terminal at Stockholm-Nynashamn,
approximately 60 kilometres south of the city.This will
cover an area of 25 hectares and will be developed in
three phases, with a quay length of 800 metres and
a depth alongside of 15 metres. The new terminal is
expected to become operational in 2012.
STAYING CONNECTED
H
a buffet and serve drinks at happy hour prices starting as early as
4pm – though the queues usually form well in advance.
While Sweden’s cities are renowned for being extremely clean
and eco-friendly, it is in the countryside that visitors come to
realise the precise meaning of “pristine”.
“Sweden is a great place to do business, but it’s also great for lei-
sure and Swedes love the outdoors,” says Peder Ramel, CEO of 3
Scandinavia. “We love the outdoors. More than half the population
owns a summer home in the countryside, and in the winter we go
skiing in the mountains.”
Lapland, in the far north of Sweden, is famed for its World Heri-
tage Sites, and the incredible phenomenon of the Northern Lights,
which illuminate the night-time sky in an awesome display that is
a tribute to nature at its most beautiful. Lapland is often justifiably
described as Europe’s last wilderness, and it’s one vast adventure
playground for anglers, hikers, and skiers. Dog and reindeer sled-
ding is highly popular, there’s ample sport for elk and small game
hunters, and Lapland hosts the world’s most northerly golf courses.
It’s also home to Sweden’smost distinctive accommodation; the Ice
Hotel at Jukkasjarvi, is one vast igloo, rebuilt each year with ice from
the Torne River, so the total number of rooms varies, but always with
an adjoining ice chapel for weddings. The only permanent part of
the hotel is the restaurant, which is built from regular construction
materials, though just to remind diners that they’re inside the Arctic
Circle, many dishes are served on plates carved from ice.
With so much on offer, it’s enough to make you want to pack
your bags and jump on a plane for Sweden.