A new direct freight rail service has been initiated, connecting Spain's port of Barcelona with the French cities of Toulouse and Lyon. The container service, a collaboration between APM Terminals Railways Spain, Synergy, and Naviland Cargo, will offer four weekly connections without the need for transshipment or changing locomotives post the Perthus tunnel crossing.
This marks a groundbreaking direct rail link from Spain to France. The 750-metre-long train, operating at the maximum length allowed in Europe, will transport 108 TEUs per journey, enhancing efficiency compared to standard trains carrying around 68 TEUs. This direct connection not only expedites goods transport but also reduces costs for logistics companies, eliminating the necessity to change locomotives or transship containers upon entering France.
Port of Barcelona President Lluís Salvadó highlighted the historical significance of this direct service, expressing gratitude to the participating companies and underscoring the time and emission savings achieved by leveraging the port's connection to Europe using the European gauge.
Source: container-news.com