· 20% of the containers arriving at the terminal leave by rail, resulting in an average saving of 57% in greenhouse gas emissions
Bilbao, March 21
CSP Spain’s terminal in Bilbao remains committed to intermodality, demonstrating a firm commitment to providing a terminal that efficiently combines maritime, road, and rail transport, favoring short-haul traffic that is more sustainable than other modes of transport. Its important rail connections allow for a reduction in the environmental impact of its port operations.
Currently, 20% of the containers passing through the terminal arrive or depart by rail, representing a total of 3,000 trains annually—the highest percentage of rail traffic for a maritime container terminal in Spain. This translates to a shift from road to rail of approximately 30 trucks for every train operated, equivalent to an average saving of 57% in greenhouse gas emissions, calculated as CO2 equivalent per unit transported.
To date, over 12,000 TEUs have been handled in 2022, including both imports and exports. The export cycle begins with the unloading of the train upon arrival at the rail terminal. This cargo is then placed in the corresponding blocks in the container yard, which are subsequently loaded onto the appropriate Short Sea Shipping (SSS) service bound for the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Northern Europe. These ports serve as transshipment points for their final destination, which is typically China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Key export products include steel, chemicals, and soybeans.
In June 2019, the terminal inaugurated the expansion of its rail terminal with the aim of adapting its facilities to accommodate an increase in train traffic. The investments made have resulted in a substantial improvement in its operations and an expansion of its capacity, allowing it to broaden its service offerings, in conjunction with its clients—maritime lines—and its connections with other regions throughout Spain.
The rail terminal has four 550-meter tracks and a dedicated area of 41,800 square meters. Its annual handling capacity exceeds 180,000 TEUs and it has a direct connection to the rail network, with its main destinations being Madrid, Azuqueca, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Seville, and Murcia. This significant investment, amounting to 10 million euros, includes two RMG automated cranes and four reach stackers, machinery that incorporates state-of-the-art technology with lower energy consumption and improved performance.
The Port Authority of Bilbao is also committed to rail transport and is working to create more sidings within the port, with the aim of maximizing the rail capacity of the facility and all its operators. This would allow for the expansion of rail operations during the night.
