The Spanish port of Huelva is taking decisive steps to elevate its rail operations and increase the share of rail freight in its total throughput. Plans entail launching direct railway services to Madrid so cargo can further transit towards Northern Europe. The railway services are expected to commence in partnership with operator Renfe by 2025. The port of Huelva claims to have already signed letters of intent with shipping companies and operators willing to onboard the train.

The Huelva-Madrid line already exists and operates in the Iberian gauge, so it is a matter of “commercialising” it, as the Spanish port explained. The route will not be direct, but the railway line leaving Huelva will connect to the Cordoba-Madrid-Zaragoza line to reach the Spanish capital and further.

Since June 2023, the port of Huelva and operator Renfe Mercancias have signed an action protocol, according to which the latter will provide electric traction and specialised rolling stock to carry semi-trailers for the services. By 2025, services between Huelva and Madrid will run initially with a single roundtrip, but the frequency is expected to grow over time.

More than 25 million euros in investments

As mentioned above, the port of Huelva aims to diversify its operations and enhance intermodality even more. The chairman of the port’s authority, Alberto Santana, stressed that to succeed in this cause, Huelva port has “put its trust on rail”. That is why the company has made 25 million euros available for investments that will attract more rail freight flows.

On top of that, the port has been doing some work to improve its intermodal profile. For instance, it is investing in its Ro-Ro facilities that can enable more semi-trailers to move in and out of the port, something that could also benefit the connection with Madrid, which counts on the transport of such loading units.

On the other hand, the port is also cooperating with French tech company Thales to increase the rail infrastructure capacity of its premises. The project carried out by Thales aims to automate various procedures in the port and include the installation of a new safety system.