Iberian logistics and port infrastructure development

Logistics and infrastructure leaders in Portugal and Spain are advocating for enhanced cooperation to strengthen the Iberian logistics network. During the 1st Iberian Intermodality Conference in Soure, officials stressed the necessity of moving from political intention to the actual execution of infrastructure that integrates rail, road, ports, and terminals.

Participants highlighted that while discussions regarding the Atlantic Freight Corridor have continued for more than a decade, there is an urgent need to convert these commitments into competitive connections. This push for improved connectivity and terminal capacity is seen as a way to leverage global supply chain trends, such as nearshoring, to bolster the Iberian Peninsula’s position within European logistics.

In a related effort to advance port innovation, the Porto Lisboa-Setúbal participated in an international mission to the ports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Moerdijk. This mission, organized with Flanders Investment & Trade, focused on strategic sectors including digitalization, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, and energy transition. The initiative is part of the Portos 5+ strategy, which seeks to connect Portuguese port administrations with European innovation ecosystems.