Port Rail Expansion
Major Spanish Ports Expand Railway Highways Across Nation, Boosting Multimodal Transport
Spain's major ports are rapidly expanding their rail highway networks, connecting key logistics hubs across the country. The latest move comes from TransItalia, which plans to extend its multimodal model from València — via the Sagunt–Teruel–Zaragoza corridor — to the Júndiz rail junction in the Basque Country, according to El Periódico.
Rail highways — known in Spanish as "autopistas ferroviarias" — allow trucks to be loaded directly onto trains, cutting road traffic and emissions. The expansion signals a broader shift in how Spain moves freight, with several ports and operators now racing to build or activate new corridors, reports El Periódico de Aragón.
TransItalia Pushes València–Zaragoza–Júndiz Rail Corridor
TransItalia is planning to stretch its multimodal freight service northward from the Port of Sagunt, near València. The route would travel through Teruel and Zaragoza before reaching Júndiz, a major rail node near Vitoria-Gasteiz. This would link the Mediterranean coast directly with the Basque Country by rail, according to La Opinión de Murcia.
The Sagunt–Teruel–Zaragoza line is seen as a key inland route. It avoids the congested Mediterranean coastal corridor. If completed, the service would give freight operators a fast, green alternative to moving goods by road through the interior of Spain, says Diario de Mallorca.
Barcelona and Valencia Ports Already Run Active Corridors
Spain's two busiest container ports are not waiting. The Port of Barcelona already operates a rail highway to Zaragoza and is working to expand connections toward Madrid and France. The Port of València runs services toward Madrid's dry port at Coslada. These routes handle thousands of trailers per year, according to La Opinión de Málaga.
These existing corridors prove the model works. Operators load semi-trailers onto flatbed rail wagons at the port. The trucks travel by train. Then drivers pick them up at the destination. This cuts fuel use and highway wear significantly, LNE reported.
Algeciras and A Coruña Eye Southern and Atlantic Routes
Spain's southern megaport, Algeciras — one of the busiest in Europe — is also looking at rail highway options. A southern corridor connecting Algeciras to Madrid and beyond would open a direct freight route from the Strait of Gibraltar into the heart of Spain, according to El Correo Gallego.
On the Atlantic coast, the Port of A Coruña is exploring connections to the national rail freight network. These projects are still in early planning stages. But they reflect a national push to get more cargo off roads and onto tracks, La Opinión de A Coruña noted.
Why Spain Is Betting Big on Rail Freight Now
The push comes as the European Union pushes member states to shift 30% of road freight to rail or water by 2030. Spain currently moves just 4% of its freight by rail — far below the EU average of around 17%. That gap makes rail highways a key policy tool, according to Diario de Córdoba.
Port authorities and logistics operators see rail highways as a win-win. Ports grow their hinterland reach. Operators cut fuel costs. And roads get less congested. With EU infrastructure funds available, the window to build these corridors is now open, El Correo Web reported.
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