The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has provisionally approved the Informative Study for the construction of a technical ferro-port facility on line 04-420 (Bif. Maravillas – Algeciras) and its branch connection with the Port of Algeciras, initiating the public information process and audience of administrations, as stated in the Official State Bulletin. This step is prior to submission to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge for obtaining the Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA).
The study arises due to the growth of traffic at the Port of Algeciras and the need to adjust its railway capacity, given that some terminals limit the length of trains to 350 meters and do not have enough sidings for maneuvers. Currently, railway access is carried out from the General Interest Railway Network (RFIG) line 04-420, starting west of the Algeciras station, at kilometer 176+150.
Alternatives and characteristics of the installation
Given that it is not possible to expand the facilities within the port, the study proposes to locate the terminal outside the port area, specifically in the Botafuegos area, within the municipal term of Algeciras. Two alternatives have been analyzed, both with five sidings, safety and maneuvering tracks, primarily differing in their location and compatibility with the future A-48 highway.
Alternative 2 is located slightly further east and avoids the future highway more easily, although it will require the ripping of several kilometers of existing line, affecting railway circulation. Alternative 1, considered the one that best meets the project's objectives, has an estimated base bidding budget of 62 million euros. The branch connection with the port, about 3.65 km long, will be functionally independent of the existing RFIG line.
Feasibility and sustainability
The study includes a capacity and demand analysis, a favorable cost-benefit study, and an environmental impact study to ensure the sustainability of the action. A multicriteria analysis was also conducted to compare both alternatives, supporting the economic and operational feasibility of the project. At the same time, the Ministry has recently tendered improvement works for the northern access to the port via the A-7, valued at 19.4 million euros.
The action aligns with the Sustainable, Safe and Connected Mobility Strategy 2030, promoting rail transport as a sustainable and safe mode. The new technical installation will support the development of intelligent intermodal logistics chains and contribute to the reduction of the modal share of road transport, strengthening the position of the Port of Algeciras as a strategic node for goods traveling to the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, in line with the Ministry's Goods 30 roadmap.