Rail transporation as a modality for the Spanish automotive industry increased in popularity last year. Rail freight reached a 5.7 per cent market share in the transportation of cars, up from 3.7 per cent in 2016.

The Spanish association of car and truck manufacturers (Anfac) congratulated the Spanish government and the rail freight operators with a successful integration of ports and railways, a combination essential to further develop the automotive industry, the most valuable Spanish export.

Automotive export

Spain exported 3.3 million vehicles through its ports, 1.2 per cent more than in 2016 . This number accounted for 62.3 per cent of the total export. Car exports resulted in revenues totalling 37 billion Euros. The EU markets are the largest importers, with a 92 per cent market share. However, Singapore, Canada and Argentina increased its market share, the improvement of port and rail freight infrastructures and services being essential in this growth.

In the meantime, Anfac calls for the facilitation of 750-metre trains to encourage this positive trend and to assure business for Spanish factories in Valencia (Ford), Castile and Leon (Nissan and Renault), Galicia and Aragon (GM and PSA Peugeot-Citroën), Navarre (Volkswagen), Basque region (Mercedes Benz) and Catalonia (Nissan and Seat).

Infrastructure plans

Spain is developing new infrastructure and upgrading existing lines to contribute to the Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors, and to the bypass railway line linking these corridors. These works will not only connect Spanish manufacturing and agricultural centres with the domestic ports and Central Europe but also with the Portuguese ports, which are strategic hubs for its eastern provinces.