Spanish national rail freight operator Renfe Mercancías is eyeing a new rail highway. Once infrastructure works are completed, the Mediterranean Corridor could facilitate a flow of fruits and vegetables from the south of Spain.
The Almería region exported fruits and vegetables worth over €4 billion in 2025. Renfe Mercancias sees the sector as a potential new customer for rail freight. This is because Spain is currently working on a new railway from Almería directly north, to Murcia. It would provide the region with a fast link to the Mediterranean Corridor and offer new rail-based export opportunities.
Renfe Mercancías seems to be jumping on that opportunity. Its general manager, Imanol Leza, met with fruit and vegetable producers’ association COEXPHAL to discuss possibilities for the future.
Infrastructure first, then food goes on the railways
Leza explained that Renfe Mercancías expects to be able to launch a new rail freight corridor, connecting Almería to the Mediterranean Corridor (TEN-T), once the new railway is in place. The operator hopes to transport semi-trailers and refrigerated containers on standard-gauge tracks and, in doing so, offer a competitive alternative for transportation. The transit time to Central Europe could be three days.
“The Almería fruit and vegetable sector is of great interest to us because it represents a significant business opportunity for Renfe”, Leza is quoted as saying in local media.
The participants of the meeting, among which were a local government representative and a rail association representative, agreed to organise a working day before the end of the year to promote rail freight and intermodal operations. Renfe, infrastructure manager Adif, logistics operators, ports and local businesses should attend, says COEXPHAL.
Future model
Rail highways increasingly seem to be the future model for rail freight in Spain. One such intermodal connection already operates from Valencia to Portugal via Madrid. Another rail highway should launch after infrastructure works on the Algeciras–Zaragoza route. Last summer, a railway highway was piloted between Huelva and Córdoba. Lastly, the Port of Santander is eyeing a rail highway to Madrid.