Zaragoza seeks to be a great logistics node also for maritime transport

The fact that Aragon does not have access to the sea is by no means an impediment for it to become a great logistics node for maritime transport as well . This was revealed this Wednesday in a day that has attracted numerous companies in the logistics sector to present the benefits of intermodal transport that also avoids a huge amount of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

In this objective of decarbonizing transport, Zaragoza will play a transcendent role, being the nerve center of up to nine planned railway highways , among them those that will connect the Aragonese capital with Algeciras and Tarragona , the closest, in addition to Bilbao or Santander in the cantabrian arc The connection with Andalusia will be completed by the end of 2025 , so that trucks arriving from Morocco – and vice versa – will be able to get on the train in just a year and a half.

Short- distance maritime transport presents a series of benefits for logistics , as stated by the technical director of the main association in this sector, Pilar Tejo, who highlights the ease for the truck to enter directly to the ship and allow a transport chain. “much more sustainable ” and “meet customer needs , being competitive in price.”

Given this, Zaragoza emerges as an “ exceptional logistics node ” on the peninsula and internationally , “middle distance” from the Cantabrian Sea and the Mediterranean with a “multiplicity of options .” “Just as a territory close to the port is subject to its offer, Zaragoza can choose various options, from the ports of Barcelona , ​​Tarragona, Castellón or Valencia to those on the northern façade, such as Bilbao or Santander , plus the connection to the south ,” Tejo has valued.

THE MARITIME TERMINAL OF ZARAGOZA, A KEY AXIS

In this way, the Zaragoza Maritime Terminal (TMZ) has made it possible to bring together greater cargo from international maritime and railway trade , emerging as an “ extension of the ports”, both operational and administrative , as explained by its director, Ramón Adé. “ Intermodal and railway logistics avoid the large bottlenecks of ports, which are found in large cities and with a lot of cargo overcrowding . This efficiency in logistics has resulted in competitiveness for the Aragonese industry and that it has been able to go out into the world to carry out its international trade processes ”, he highlighted.

Thus, from TMZ , with the presence of Zaragoza City Council, the Government of Aragon and the State (through the Port of Barcelona) in its shareholding, they especially highlight the train’s capabilities for transporting goods , as “the perfect complement” to the truck , improving the conditions of drivers . “When the merchandise arrives by train in Zaragoza , it is only necessary for the carrier to guarantee last mile deliveries , which means that they have better quality of life and sleep in his house ,” he stressed.

Such is the importance that this space has gained that it is already immersed in a major expansion of the facilities , which will add 50,000 square meters to reach a surface area of ​​180,000 . “We are finishing the first phase and work is underway on the second, to be carried out next year , before the arrival of the 750-meter sidings from Barcelona and Valencia , allowing us to make longer trains,” Adé explained.

GOAL, 10% OF TRANSPORTATION BY TRAIN IN 2030

With this, the objective that Spain has set is to reach a rail transport quota of 10 % in 2030 , although it is currently at a distant 3.4% , which is expected to multiply with the promotion of railway highways . “I would love to be able to say when it will be achieved and if we are going to reach 2030. ” The adjustments to the tunnel gauges , which in many cases date back to the 19th century, are delaying the work . You have to increase the height or lower the floor,” explained the manager of the ALIA logistics cluster.