Spain to become global logistics hub

 

The Spanish Secretary of State for Infrastructure, Transport and Housing, Rafael Catalá, said that, "Spain aims to become the major logistics platform for southern Europe and northern Africa, serving the global east-west trade routes, as well as the emerging north-south."

To achieve this goal, which is part of the Logistics Strategy, Spain can offer "its geostrategic position and its credentials in infrastructure and transportation systems," stressed Catalá.

The official also said that Spain has the largest motorway network in Europe and the world's fifth best rail infrastructure, as well as the second most extended high-speed network in the world and a port system characterised by its excellent management and results.

According to the Ministry of Development, the logistics strategy that aims to turn Spain into "an international logistics platform of the highest order, connecting Europe, America, Africa and Asia," will require an investment of around €8,000 mln.

The project could be completed by 2024, providing the Iberian country with "the most favourable conditions, both infrastructural (integrated and intelligent) and regulatory, to allow the market to function in the most efficient way possible," assured Catala.

It should be noted that the Logistics Strategy was implemented in 2013, mainly with the purpose of promoting the logistics industry as one the engines for Spain's economy.

The Secretary also said that to "improve the efficiency and sustainability of the transport system through intermodality, it will be necessary to develop an intermodal network and promote Spain's role as a gateway, hub and treatment centre for intercontinental goods shipped to Europe."

Moreover, Catalá said that the Mediterranean Corridor is one of the core projects in the Logistics Strategy, as its area of influence affects 47.8% of the Spanish population and 44.8% of the country's GDP, which generates almost half of the total freight traffic.

The official noted that "so far, contracts worth €570 mln have already been tendered and others worth €388 mln have been awarded."

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