Contract signed for Setúbal port rail upgrade
PORTUGAL: Portugal has signed a EUR 40m contract to modernise rail access to the port of Setúbal, aiming to increase freight capacity and shift more transport from road to rail.
The works contract was signed on 2 March and covers upgrades to rail infrastructure linking the port with the national network south of Lisbon. The project includes improvements to access tracks and rail handling areas serving the port’s freight terminals.
The upgrade is intended to increase capacity on the freight route linking the port with inland rail corridors. Government targets aim to move more freight from road to rail.
Setúbal handles key industrial freight flows
Setúbal is one of Portugal’s main industrial ports and handles bulk commodities, vehicle exports and containerised cargo. Its location south of Lisbon makes it an important logistics gateway for manufacturing and energy-related traffic.
Improving rail access is intended to strengthen the port’s connection to national freight corridors and allow more trains to serve the terminals. Authorities say rail traffic could rise to roughly 2,900 trains a year by 2030.
Upgrade focuses on port rail access
The works focus on modernising the rail approach to the port area and improving access to terminal infrastructure. The upgrades are expected to support more efficient train movements and higher rail throughput.
The project forms part of a programme to strengthen rail freight links to Portuguese ports and encourage greater use of rail for port hinterland transport.