Spain eyes new rail terminal near Algeciras

Spain is considering the construction of a new rail terminal outside its largest port, Algeciras, to accommodate growing demand.

Rail services at the port are currently constrained by “the 350-metre train length limit at some of its terminals and the lack of sufficient sidings for rail manoeuvres”, the Ministry of Transport said.

The proposed site is in the Botafuegos area, 11km west of the Port of Algeciras, along the line to Bobadilla. The project remains at a very early stage. The Spanish government, through the ministry, has approved an Informative Study estimating the total cost of the facility at €62m.

Expanding rail capacity within the port is not feasible, the ministry underlined. Therefore, “it is necessary to consider a terminal or technical facility outside the port area”. The option selected in the Informative Study would see the construction of five new sidings. It also includes a new 3.65-kilometre line providing a direct connection to the port.

Waiting for the rail highway

Upgrading rail connectivity to the Port of Algeciras is a key step towards implementing the long-awaited rail highway service to Zaragoza, one of Spain’s main logistics hubs. Initially scheduled to begin operations in 2024, the Algeciras–Zaragoza rail highway was indefinitely postponed and later rescheduled for the end of 2026.

Earlier statements indicated that traffic along the Zaragoza–Madrid section would start at the beginning of this year, but this has yet to materialise. Extending the service to Algeciras remains more challenging due to infrastructure limitations that are still being addressed. Regarding rolling stock, all seven locomotives intended to haul the rail highway trains carrying semi-trailers have already been delivered.