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El Port of Santander has received a visit from high-ranking officials of the Unión Europea to reinforce its position as a strategic logistics hub in the Atlantic CorridorAt the meeting, César Díaz, President of the Autoridad Portuaria de Santander (APS), presented the investment plan and the project for a rail highway with Madrid, considered key to the competitiveness and decarbonization of freight transport towards the Northern Europe and the United Kingdom.
The European delegation, composed of the coordinator of the Atlantic Corridor, François Bausch, and the coordinator of the European Maritime Area, Gessine MeissnerShe was also received by the Minister of Public Works of Gobierno de Cantabria, Roberto MediaThe visit is part of a tour of the ports of the core network of the Atlantic coast, organized by the Office of the Commissioner of the Atlantic Corridor.
Investment Plan 2025-2029: Intermodality and Sustainability
As part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), Puerto de Santander It is one of the nine strategic facilities of the Atlantic Corridor in EspañaDuring the meeting, César Díaz He outlined the main actions of the 2025-2029 investment plan, designed to “To improve the capacity and efficiency of our Port, providing it with more and better infrastructure that guarantees the objectives of rail-port intermodality, decarbonization and territorial integration".
The most notable projects include:
- Construction Raos dock 6.
- La electrification of the existing docks.
- New developments in railway infrastructure Internal.
- The expansion of car silo.
Díaz He also requested Bausch take into account the high degree of completion of the works financed by the Unión Europea in the port, which reaches 100%. "Without a doubt, Santander is a reliable port "And we have demonstrated that we fulfill our commitments," stated the president of the APS.
The Santander-Madrid rail motorway: the key piece of the 'green corridor'
The central point of the presentation was the defense of a rail motorway between Santander and Madrid. By César DíazThis infrastructure is vital to "strengthen our competitiveness, expand our area of influence, and consolidate a sustainable freight transport model." The project has already been presented to ADIF and has the backing of rail operators, shippers and the British embassy.
"Santander It has very relevant strengths that alone justify this rail highway”, he emphasized Díazhighlighting the port's leadership in roll-on/roll-off cargo and its high rate of rail-port intermodality on the Spanish northern coast.
The connection would allow the creation of an efficient and sustainable logistics corridor, as demonstrated by the strategic distances to its hinterland.
| Hinterland Connections: Key to the Port of Santander | Distance |
|---|---|
| Palencia | 200 km |
| Valladolid | 248 km |
| Madrid | 393 km |
In the words of its president:This is the missing piece we need to create a true green corridor for the transport of goods between the Spanish peninsular center, Reino Unido and the north of Europa".
Key points and frequently asked questions about the role of the Port of Santander in the Atlantic Corridor
How does this project affect Spanish exporting companies?
The creation of the rail highway Santander Madrid It would offer companies in the central Iberian Peninsula a faster, cheaper, and more sustainable export route to the markets of Reino Unido and the north of EuropaIt would reduce dependence on road transport, optimizing logistics costs and improving delivery times, as well as aligning its operations with sustainability criteria (ESG).
What competitive advantages does the rail freight highway offer compared to other routes?
Its main advantage is the direct and efficient intermodality connecting ro-ro and container shipping traffic with a high-capacity rail line. This reduces road congestion, lowers the carbon footprint, and offers a more reliable alternative to potential disruptions on other land or sea routes, consolidating Santander like an entrance and exit point Europa highly competitive.
What are the next steps for the implementation of this infrastructure?
The project has been presented to ADIF, the railway infrastructure manager of EspañaThe next steps involve a technical and feasibility assessment by ADIF, the search for financing (potentially through European funds such as those of the Connecting Europe program) and public-private collaboration with interested logistics operators and shippers to ensure its demand and operability.
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