Barcelona rail masterplan approved

This infrastructure will shift large volumes of freight from road to rail, significantly reducing emissions and congestion, while also generating 24 hectares of new public green areas and enabling over €265 million in investment.

The Territorial Commission’s approval concludes four years of procedures, public consultation and environmental review, and now allows construction to begin on a project considered essential for the port’s growth.

“This is a supramunicipal infrastructure achieved through consensus and it represents a turning point,” said José Alberto Carbonell, president of the Port of Barcelona.

“The Intermodal Logistics Terminal integrates the infrastructures through landscaping using green corridors that act as a cushion, improving the connection between urban centres and areas of economic activity while protecting valuable surrounding areas.”

The new railway node will reinforce the port’s long-term commitment to shifting cargo away from roads. Over the last decade, this strategy has already eliminated more than 1.7 million truck journeys. In 2024 alone, rail traffic removed 155,000 trucks, avoiding 48,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions – equivalent to planting 291,000 trees.

Once fully operational, the six-terminal junction will allow the transfer of around 640,000 containers and 46,000 semi-trailers from road to rail each year. Rail volumes are already rising, with the port forecasting a 2025 rail share of 12% for containers and 45% for vehicles.

The plan also includes 24 hectares of new public green areas, creating a continuous corridor linking the Llobregat Agricultural Park and Montjuïc Park and improving accessibility between port logistics zones and nearby communities.