Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 8, The Spanish Railway Infrastructure Administrator (Adif) has appointed Hitachi Rail to upgrade signalling and telecommunications systems for a new freight rail link to the Port of Seville, Spain. Supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the project will introduce a 2,485-meter branch line connecting the Guadaíra River railway bridge to the La Negrilla freight terminal bypass.

The project will involve installing new track circuits, axle counters, and electromechanical point machines.

The new link will enable direct access for freight trains to the port, eliminating the need for reversal manoeuvres at existing commuter network stations. The project includes the installation of new track circuits, axle counters, and electromechanical point machines, as well as upgrades to control systems at the Local Operations Centre and the Centralised Traffic Control Centre in Seville Santa Justa. Software updates for interlocking systems will also be implemented to ensure efficient and consistent rail operations.

Hitachi Rail noted that the initiative will allow the port infrastructure to handle freight trains of any length and load entering the port precinct, removing operational constraints. The upgrades are expected to increase throughput and streamline intermodal logistics at the Port of Seville.

Adolfo Aguilar, sales director of Hitachi Rail Spain, said: “This contract is key to strengthening freight operations at the Port of Seville and Andalusia. It reflects our experience and technological capability in adapting infrastructure for efficient freight traffic — both in logistics terminals and in inland port networks connected to the national rail system.”

Hitachi Rail has extensive experience in similar projects. The company has provided comparable technology at Spanish ports including Huelva, Málaga, and Marín, as well as logistics centres in Júndiz, Mérida, and Pancorbo. It is also deploying signalling and telecommunications systems along 17.5 km of the Valladolid Eastern Bypass.

In addition, last month Hitachi Rail agreed to provide technical assistance and specialist support to Alokor EAD for the maintenance of signalling systems along the Sofia–Plovdiv–Svilengrad railway corridor in Bulgaria.

The Port of Seville freight project is designed to enhance operational efficiency, supporting the growing demand for intermodal transport and strengthening the regional logistics network. By improving signalling, control systems, and port accessibility, the initiative will enable faster, safer, and more reliable freight services, reinforcing the competitiveness of Andalusia’s transport infrastructure.

This project underlines Hitachi Rail’s role as a key partner in modernising railway systems, combining advanced technology and operational expertise to support the expansion of European freight corridors. It demonstrates the company’s commitment to enhancing rail connectivity and improving logistical performance across Spain and beyond.