FETEIA-OLTRA denounces the collapse of the freight rail system and demands urgent structural solutions

 

La Federación Española de Organizaciones de Transitarios (FETEIA-OLTRA) has denounced the systemic collapse of freight railway due to structural problems and lack of investment, causing the disruption of production chains in Europa the motto #NoLogisticsNoIndustry.

 

The current situation is not an isolated incident, but the explosion of a latent crisis that seriously affects the logistics competitivenessAccording to the employers' association, international trade flows have been virtually at a standstill for over a week, with no clear indication of when they will resume, which is already directly impacting industrial centers in Alemania y Bélgica.

 

Paralysis at the Port of Barcelona and the Rubí Tunnel

 

One of the most critical points highlighted by the federation is the state of Ruby tunnelwhich constitutes the only international gauge rail access to Puerto de BarcelonaCurrently, this infrastructure is cut off by works that show no significant progress, effectively isolating the port area from the European freight rail network.

 

This lack of operational capacity is starkly reflected in the traffic figures recorded during the first month of the year, where the gap between planned and actual capacity is alarming.

 

Logistics Indicator (January 2026)	Figure
Scheduled international trains (Barcelona)	250
International trains that have run	30
Percentage of actual operational capacity	12 %
Main countries affected	Alemania y Bélgica

 

The weak link in the logistics system

 

President of FETEIA-OLTRA, Enric TicóHe has been emphatic regarding the current hierarchy of priorities: “Freight rail cannot continue to be the weak link in the system. Passengers are a priority, but not at the cost of paralyzing the industry, trade and the country's competitiveness."

 

Given the inoperability of the roads, the sector is resorting massively to road transport as the only viable alternative, similarly to the use of coaches in the event of passenger service failures. However, FETEIA-OLTRA It warns that this overexertion of the truck is unsustainable, increasing congestion and strain on the supply chain.

 

• Strategic incoherence: Decarbonization is being promoted while the rail network lacks reliability.
• Economic impact: Blocking of key exports and imports for European production.
• Reputational damage: Inability to meet international cargo commitments.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the rail collapse

Why is the Port of Barcelona isolated from international traffic?

Due to the cut of the Ruby tunnelThe only international gauge track, due to works that, according to the federation, are stalled, preventing the connection with Europa.

What is the actual impact on shipments this month?

Of the 250 international trains planned for January, only 30 have been able to run, representing an 88% drop in activity compared to what was planned.

What solution does FETEIA-OLTRA propose?

An immediate, coordinated, and structural response from the administrations that addresses the freight railway as a critical infrastructure for the productive economy and not just as a secondary element compared to passenger traffic.