Spain plans new rail terminal at its largest port
SPAIN: Spain is moving ahead with plans for a new rail terminal at the Port of Algeciras in southern Spain, near the Strait of Gibraltar, to address a key rail-access constraint at the country’s largest port.
The transport ministry has provisionally approved plans for a new ferroport facility and its connecting branch line, moving the project into the next stage ahead of environmental assessment.
Port access constraint moves into next phase
Rail operations at Algeciras are currently limited by short train lengths and restricted capacity for handling and manoeuvres, constraining the port’s rail share.
The preferred option would locate the facility at Botafuegos, outside the port area, linked by a new 3.65-km branch line. The project is estimated at just over EUR 62 million.
Longer trains key to higher capacity
The project is designed to enable longer freight trains and more flexible operations, addressing a structural bottleneck in hinterland connections.
Across the corridor, this could raise capacity and allow more port traffic to move by rail, rather than relying on incremental upgrades within the port area.