Upgrade of intermodal terminal in Madrid postponed to 2026 04/08/25
< ZurückUpgrade of intermodal terminal in Madrid postponed to 2026
The start of operations at the future expanded Madrid-Vicálvaro intermodal terminal has been moved from the end of this year to some time in 2026 by the Spanish infrastructure manager Adif. The deadlines have been changed due to heavy rains that hindered construction.
The Vicálvaro terminal, located east of Madrid, is planned to take up the volumes of the current Abroñigal, located 10 kilometres away, which will cease operations. The new facility in Vicálvaro is expected to be an improvement as it will be equipped to handle 740-metre trains and capacity for 150,000 TEUs per year.
The terminal in Abroñigal is used, among others, to serve the rail highway service between Madrid and Valencia. The facility was supposed to be shut down at the end of 2024, but the contract was extended for one year and awarded to the joint venture launched by MSC’s logistics arm Medlog and the Spanish state-owned operator Renfe. Other than managing the Aborñigal terminal in its last year, the two companies also signed a 20-year deal for the terminal in Vicálvaro.
If you can’t beat them, join them
MSC, through its subsidiaries Medlog and Medway, is expanding at a pretty fast pace in the Spanish market. In only seven years, it became the third largest operator in the country. Most of its ascent coincided with Renfe’s downfall. The company, once a hegemon, has lost a massive slice of its market share, albeit remaining the biggest player. The two companies have recently decided to join forces, with initial rumours of MSC possibly buying 50% of Renfe Mercancías and the final decision to opt for a joint venture.