Hitachi Rail to optimize freight transport through key Port of Seville rail connection

• Hitachi Rail will deliver the signalling and telecommunication for a new dedicated 2,485-metre freight branch line designed to eliminate the need for complex train manoeuvres that are currently required at commuter rail stations
• As Spain’s only inland maritime port, the Port of Seville plays a vital role in national and international freight logistics, linking Seville to Madrid, Bilbao, Extremadura, Córdoba, Valencia and Sines (Portugal).
• The port is a multimodal hub, a key node of the Core Network, and part of the Mediterranean Corridor of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).

Seville - Hitachi Rail has been awarded a contract to adapt the Signalling and Telecommunications systems for the new rail access to the Port of Seville by the Spanish Railway Infrastructure Administrator (Adif). The initiative forms part of an ambitious strategy to enhance the city’s logistics and operational efficiency.

The project involves the construction of a new railway branch line, 2,485 metres in length, designed exclusively for freight traffic, avoiding the passage and reversal manoeuvres that trains currently have to perform at stations on the Seville commuter rail network. Running between the Guadaíra River railway bridge and the La Negrilla freight terminal bypass, the new line will provide direct access to the port, boosting freight rail throughput.

The Port of Seville offers excellent connections between ship, train and road transport, supported by an internal rail network. Hitachi Rail has already implemented various technological projects within the port to ensure efficient, reliable and modern operations. With this new initiative, the port infrastructure will be equipped to handle freight trains of any length and load entering the port precinct without operational constraints.

To guarantee reliable and efficient operations, the project includes the implementation of several technological upgrades. New track circuits, axle counters, and electromechanical point machines, among other components, will be installed to create a high-performance corridor. In parallel, the rail traffic control systems will be upgraded. Both the Local Operations Centre and the Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) Centre in Seville Santa Justa will undergo progressive modifications, including software updates to interlocking systems to accurately reflect the state of operations.

“This contract is key to strengthening freight operations at the Port of Seville and Andalusia. It reflects our experience and technological capability in adapting infrastructure for efficient freight traffic — both in logistics terminals and in inland port networks connected to the national rail system.”, commented Adolfo Aguilar, Sales Director of Hitachi Rail Spain.

This initiative will be co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Hitachi Rail and Freight Transport in Spain

Hitachi Rail leads the development of intermodal freight transport in Spain through advanced technological solutions and a strong presence across the country. The company has delivered projects in major ports such as Seville, Huelva, Málaga and Marín, as well as in strategic logistics hubs like Júndiz, Mérida and Pancorbo.

Currently, Hitachi Rail is participating in the Valladolid Eastern Bypass, deploying signalling and telecommunications systems along 17.5 kilometres, including tunnels and viaducts, to connect with the new railway complex.