Portugal Announces €1.2bn Port of Lisbon‑Setúbal Upgrade and Plans New Sines‑Lisbon Rail Line

The Port of Lisbon‑Setúbal presented a €1.2 billion investment programme aimed at modernising terminals, expanding capacity for containers, cars and bulk cargo, and introducing automation, digitalisation and electrification. The strategy, dubbed “Twin Ports – One Vision, Two Gateways”, is driven mainly by private capital and aligns with the national “Portos 5+” plan. Projects include a near‑million‑TEU capacity at Lisbon’s Liscont terminal, upgrades at Sines’ Sadoport, and more than €500 million for railway connections to improve intermodal links.

Separately, Infraestruturas de Portugal is studying a new mixed‑traffic railway between Sines and Lisbon that could carry both freight and passengers, while the existing Sines line will remain freight‑only. Local officials argue a passenger service would relieve housing pressure and boost mobility. The study is part of the National Railway Plan, which also foresees the opening of an Évora‑Spain link in early 2027, cutting freight travel time to Madrid by about three and a half hours.