Caught between the drive for progress and a realistic assessment of financial constraints, Spain is closely examining the potential expansion of intermodal rail services primarily serving its key maritime gateways. Among recent developments, the most promising involves the Valencia-Zaragoza line, while the Algeciras-Zaragoza project continues to face delays.
The port of Valencia plans to establish a direct intermodal link to Zaragoza’s Plaza terminal, one of Spain’s main logistics hubs. In support of this goal, the port authority has begun acquiring nearly 300,000 square metres of land in Zaragoza, which will be converted into an intermodal platform. This move is the logical outcome of ongoing upgrades along the approximately 300-kilometre Valencia-Zaragoza line via Teruel.
Construction work, launched in August 2024, is focused on upgrading the rail infrastructure and, in particular, modifying tunnel profiles to allow unrestricted transport of semi-trailers. To support the launch of the new service, a cooperation agreement has been signed between the Valencia port authority and the regional governments of Aragón and Zaragoza.
The promotion of intermodal transport centred around ports is a strategic priority for both the Spanish railway operator Renfe and national and regional authorities. A service already links Valencia to Madrid, and several other projects are currently under discussion. Chief among them is the new intermodal connection between the major port of Algeciras and Zaragoza. Although originally scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, the project has been indefinitely postponed. According to the latest estimates from the Spanish Ministry of Transport, the expected cost has now risen to over €500 million.
As with the Valencia-Zaragoza corridor, this project involves infrastructure upgrades, especially the enlargement of tunnel profiles and strengthening of viaducts. One such contract covers work on thirteen tunnels along the central stretch between Córdoba and Santa Cruz de Mudela. A further €45 million will be invested to enhance connecting tracks, and an additional €130 million is allocated for modernising signalling systems.
Meanwhile, in January 2025, Rail & Truck, the company tasked with operating the Algeciras-Zaragoza intermodal service, received the first three Euro6000 locomotives from Stadler, as part of an order for seven units. The delivery also includes 150 purpose-built wagons for semi-trailer transport, partly funded through the Spanish equivalent of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Piermario Curti Sacchi
