Catalonia has approved the Urban Master Plan for the Port of Barcelona’s Intermodal Logistics Terminal. The decision clears the way for construction of the port’s south railway node.
The plan reorganises rail infrastructure in the southern port area. The project includes new freight terminals and support facilities. Authorities designed the node on the former Llobregat riverbed. A second terminal will operate near the new river course.
Public authorities and local councils agreed on the plan. Barcelona, El Prat, the Government of Catalonia and Barcelona Regional all took part.
€265 Million Investment Confirmed
The rail hub will cost about €265 million.
€70 million will fund the Nou Llobregat Terminal, which is already under construction.
€150 million will go to new terminals on the old riverbed.
€45 million will support additional infrastructure and services.
The Port of Barcelona will also invest €26 million in green areas.
Rail Shift to Cut Emissions
The rail hub will move freight from road to rail. This will cut emissions. It will also reduce traffic and accidents.
Rail use already has an impact. Over ten years, the port removed 1.7 million truck trips. In 2024 alone, rail replaced 155,000 truck journeys. This avoided 48,500 tonnes of CO₂. That equals planting 291,000 trees.
Six-Terminal Rail Network
The new hub will include six terminals.
It will serve the Port of Barcelona and surrounding industrial areas. This includes the Zona Franca, Polígon Pratenc and Baix Llobregat. The network will support port traffic and inland freight.
The rail node forms part of the Mediterranean Corridor.
Rail Volumes Rising
In 2024, rail handled:
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219,000 containers
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295,000 vehicles
By the end of 2025, rail is expected to carry:
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12% of container traffic
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45% of vehicle traffic
Once fully operational, the hub will move:
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640,000 containers per year
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46,000 semi-trailers per year
24 Hectares of New Green Areas
The plan creates 24 hectares of public green space. These areas form the Llobregat–Montjuïc Green Corridor.
The corridor connects industrial zones with natural areas. It improves access and protects the environment.
The project includes six green developments:
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Two perimeter walkways
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ZAL-Pratenc park
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Polígon Pratenc walkway
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River green link
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Ricarda park
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Bunyola Road park
The Port of Barcelona and Cilsa will fund the project.
Leadership Perspectives
The Port’s President, José Alberto Carbonell, confirmed the port will protect surrounding areas. He said the green corridors also improve urban links.
Regional Minister Sílvia Paneque called the plan transformational. She said it will modernise the port. She added that it respects Catalonia’s identity and environment.
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