{"id":431453,"date":"2026-05-18T18:25:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=71203"},"modified":"2026-05-18T18:25:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:25:07","slug":"spain-to-support-rail-freight-with-e15000-per-diesel-locomotive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=431453","title":{"rendered":"Spain to support rail freight with \u20ac15,000 per diesel locomotive"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rail operators in Spain can now apply for state aid amounting to 15,000 euros per diesel locomotive. The scheme is a response to the high fuel prices. Applications opened on Thursday 14 May and will continue until 29 May.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Spain introduced support schemes for the transport sector already in April, but initially left out rail freight. Madrid only set up a similar aid programme for rail freight after rail freight association AEFP appealed to the transport ministry.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot afford for its [rail freight] market share to continue declining if we want to reach a total ratio of 10% in four years and roughly match the European average, which stands at 17%\u201d, transport minister Oscar Puente commented earlier on the state aid measure.<\/p>\n

Temporary EU-sanctioned measure<\/h2>\n

In total, Spain has allocated 3.15 million euros to support diesel-powered rail freight operations. With 15,000 euros available per diesel locomotive, that equals 210 locomotives eligible for support.<\/p>\n

Before Madrid can transfer the aid to the affected rail freight companies, the European Commission still has a say on the legality of the measure. The aid can only cover up to 70% of the added fuel costs (rather than the usual 50%) based on the temporary aid framework METSAF<\/a>. It can also not exceed 50,000 euros.<\/p>\n