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

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.