milestones in our journey
Explore our history
We are proud of our roots, but our eyes have always been on the future. For over a century, we have led the way in developing smarter, more efficient, and sustainable logistics solutions – for our customers and for the market at large. Curiosity, innovation, and a drive to improve have made us specialists in moving goods reliably across borders. Explore our history, and you’ll see a company that never stops shaping the future of logistics.
1886
Our story begins
Farmer John Nurminen founded the company in Rauma with a small general store, trading timber, chandlery goods and imported products. Maritime transport soon became a natural extension of the business, with shipping operations beginning in 1891. By 1910, a fleet of 22 vessels was carrying cargo across international seas. During the First World War, Nurminen had grown into Finland’s largest forwarding company, laying the foundation for a long legacy in logistics and global trade.
1930
Part of the travel boom
As the business evolved, operations expanded beyond shipping. In 1935, John Nurminen entered the travel sector as a shareholder in Matkatoimisto Kaleva Oy. The shipping business reached its peak in the 1950s, marking a period of strong growth and international activity. In 1967, Nurminen once again broke new ground by establishing Nurminen-Lento at Helsinki Airport, becoming Finland’s first air freight forwarder and further diversifying its logistics expertise.
1970
We became international
Following the Suez Crisis, the company exited shipping and shifted its focus to international forwarding and transport services. Growth was rapid, with operations expanding into export and import forwarding, road transport to the Soviet Union, terminal and warehousing services, and aircraft ground handling. During the 1990s, the company took another strategic step by phasing out traditional forwarding and transport, paving the way for a new direction in its logistics development.
2000
Full focus on logistics
The 2000s marked a clear focus on logistics services. John Nurminen became the leading operator in vehicle logistics across the Baltic Sea region and Finland’s largest healthcare logistics provider. In September 2007, another milestone was reached as construction began on the Vuosaari logistics centre, strengthening the company’s long-term logistics capabilities.
2008
Into the stock exchange
On 1 January 2008, Nurminen Logistics Plc was listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange as logistics operations became an independent business. Later that year, in November 2008, the company moved into the Vuosaari logistics centre. At the same time, Nurminen Logistics had built one of the region’s largest private rail fleets, comprising nearly 1,000 wagons.
2010
Train traffic to Asia begins
In 2018, Nurminen Logistics launched container train services to China, introducing a low-emission rail connection that quickly gained strong demand. Regular departures from Helsinki and Kotka now connect to multiple destinations across China and Asia. By the early 2020s, the service served more than 1,000 customers across trade and industry. In 2021, the network expanded further to Japan and other Far East markets, strengthening Nurminen Logistics’ position in Eurasian rail transport.
2022
Expanded railway connections
Nurminen Logistics expanded its railway connections across the Nordic region and launched container train operations on the Trans-Caspian route, strengthening east–west connectivity and opening new rail corridors between Europe and Asia.
2023
Acquisition of North Rail
In 2023, Nurminen Logistics became Finland’s largest privately owned railway operator following the successful acquisition of the company North Rail, which significantly strengthening Nurminen Logistics rail capacity and operational control.
2024
Growth in Sweden continues
A new route between Haparanda/Umeå-Gothenburg. Nurminen Logistics acquires Swedish Essinge Rail AB.
2026
Launch of Sweden-Italy route
In 2026, Nurminen Logistics launched a direct rail connection between Sweden and Italy, offering a three-day transit time, in collaboration with the Italian logistics experts Lanzi Trasporti. A faster and more sustainable option for trade between Northern Europe and Italy.
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