This initiative plans to allocate seven million euros to the Ebre region's project. The aim of this preliminary test is to convince local businesses of the advantages of rail transport, helping them abandon old routines for their own benefit. According to government delegate Joan Castor Gonell, European policies for reducing carbon footprint, the shortage of road transport professionals, and rising fuel prices are key factors making rail a more viable option in the medium term.
Gonell explained that this pilot test for export and occasional import is the result of contacts with economic and business stakeholders, including the Port of Tarragona. The goal is also to convince CIMALSA of sufficient local interest, particularly from the agri-food sector, to advance the intermodality project in Terres de l'Ebre, which has been delayed from initial forecasts. The initial approval of the master plan for the L'Aldea intermodal station is expected by November or December.
The director of IDECE, Bibiana Porres, confirmed that the entity will finance the studies for transporting goods from Ebre companies to the terminals in La Llagosta and Le Boulou (Northern Catalonia). The rest of the operation will be borne by the participating companies, which will need to distribute themselves between the two terminals depending on the type of containers and product.
Although the number of participating companies will be limited, support is expected from the Chamber of Commerce, AECE, and other regional business organizations, Gonell noted.
