Spanish ports to get major cash injection

Direct investment will amount to €514m, while connecting work will total €904m. Of this, the state will find €813m, compared with just €413m in 2016. This is a higher level of investment than before the 2008 financial crash. In addition, the private sector is committed to investing a further €978m.

Significantly, the minister has ruled out any equity stake being taken in Puertos del Estado by the private sector.

The Port of Cartagena is to spend €44.5m during this year to upgrade both its rail and road links. Of this, €28.8m has been set aside for the new Camarillas alignment. Over the next five years, Cartagena will receive total investment of €61.8m.

One of the largest rail projects associated with the port is that at Escombreras, for which €13.6m has been allocated in 2017, out of total project cost of €21.9m. Rail infrastructure body ADIF will spend €800,000 this year on new facilities at Escombreras, almost half its budget for the project.