Iberian logistics leaders call for improved intermodality and port innovation

Logistics and infrastructure leaders in Portugal and Spain are calling for increased cooperation to strengthen the Iberian logistics network. At the 1st Iberian Intermodality Conference held in Soure, officials emphasized the need to move beyond political intentions toward the actual execution of infrastructure that integrates rail, road, ports, and terminals.

Participants noted that while discussions regarding the Atlantic Freight Corridor have persisted for over a decade, there is a critical need to transform these commitments into competitive connections. The current reorganization of global supply chains, including trends like nearshoring, presents an opportunity for the Iberian Peninsula to bolster its position in European logistics if connectivity and terminal capacity are improved.

In a parallel effort to drive innovation, the Porto Lisboa-Setúbal participated in an international mission to the ports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Moerdijk. Organized with Flanders Investment & Trade, the mission focused on strategic areas such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and energy transition. This initiative aligns with the Portos 5+ strategy, aiming to bridge Portuguese port administrations with European innovation ecosystems to address common sectoral challenges.