Spain outlines €1.5bn investment to improve intermodal freight

The Ministry of Transport, Mobility, and Urban Affairs (Mitma) in Spain made an announcement detailing plans to invest €1.5bn in the improvement of freight movements in the country, with particular attention paid to the transition of freight from road to rail.

The fund will be routed via the European Union’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, and the upgrades are expected to add great value to the country’s Freight 30 Initiative, targeted at increasing the market share of rail by at least 6% before 2030. Rail currently holds 4% of net tonne-km.

Spain’s general secretary of infrastructure, Mr. Sergio Vázquez Torrón believes that the project goal is feasible, though he agreed that it may also come off as “ambitious”.

“There have been attempts in the past, but now is the time to make it happen. We have the opportunity, the capacity, and the obligation to overcome this situation. It is now or never,”

Sergio Vázquez Torrón

“There have been attempts in the past, but now is the time to make it happen. We have the opportunity, the capacity, and the obligation to overcome this situation. It is now or never,” he said.

About €1bn will be expended on the improvement of freight distribution network efficiency by developing multi-modal systems and upgrading distribution centers with modern and advanced technologies and solutions. Of course, with railway network as a key emphasis.

€222m will go towards the construction of 4 rail freight terminals in Vicálvaro, Madrid; La Llagosta, Barcelona; Fuente de San Luis, Valencia; and Júndiz.”