Freight companies can now use another Spanish freight hub to organise rail highway services. Rail infrastructure manager Adif determined that the route to a terminal in Nonduermas, near Murcia, is safe after completing clearance measurements.
The measurements found that rail highway services, where semi-trailers are moved on trains, are possible to and from the Nonduermas terminal. Interested companies had requested such a clearance on the Murcia–Albacete section of the rail network on Iberian gauge, reports El Mercantil.
As a result, rail operators can move semi-trailers between the Nonduermas terminal and three destinations: Entroncamento (Portugal), Madrid and Noáin (Navarra). However, operations to Noáin still depend on the completion of infrastructure improvements on the Madrid–Zaragoza route.
Once the Vicálvaro terminal in Madrid is available, it would also become a possible destination for rail highway operations alongside the Abrońigal terminal. On the way to Entroncamento, Badajoz and Mérida are also possible stops.
Almería–Murcia
“Rail freight services promote the use of existing rail infrastructure, generate economic activity for the operation of intermodal terminals, and boost logistics and rail activity with safety and quality service,” Adif is quoted as saying by El Mercantil.
Spain is eyeing another rail highway in the region as well. Once the railway between Almería and Murcia is operational, the fruits and vegetables sector in the region could be a potential big rail freight customer. The transit time to Central Europe could be three days. A meeting between Renfe Mercancías and the fruit and vegetable producers’ association took place recently to discuss the possible rail service.