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In the framework of the celebration of the first Conference on this matter, organized by the Ministry of development

Promotion is committed to promote the carriage of goods by rail

Drafting Interempresas15/10/2009

October 15, 2009

The 'I Conference of momentum of the carriage of goods by rail' is the first of the initiatives driven by encouraging, through the Secretariat of State of transport, to meet the needs of different operators in the sector with a view to the conclusion of a Sectorial Conferenceto be held at the end of December, 2009, as announced the Minister of public works, José Blanco, in the Congress last May. The Secretary general of transport, José Luis Cachafeiro, reiterated in the day the "clear this Government's commitment" to promote the carriage of goods by rail in Spain.

The main objective of the sectoral Conference to be held at the end of the year will be consensus on a draft Strategic Plan for the carriage of goods by rail in Spain, commitment also announced by the white Minister in the Congress of Deputies.

In debates participated, as speakers prominent representatives of the logistics industry and transport in their different ways.

The sector will have a voice in the development of the Strategic Plan

From the discussions generated during the 'day I of momentum of the transport of goods' by rail, the Ministry of development will be a few working groups which will be attended by all stakeholders of the sector (transport and logistics sector government organizations; etc). These groups, in their work meetings, will be produced a document of conclusions and proposals, which will be elevated to the sectoral Conference with the autonomous communities.

The goal of this whole process is that the conclusions and decisions agreed with stakeholders can be integrated Plan strategic for the carriage of goods by rail in Spain, a project that the Ministry of public works aims to nazca fruit of dialogue and consensus.

Discussion on management and logistics in the transport of goods

On this day, starting point of the process of dialogue with the sector, three points of discussion were: the logistics such as efficiency and ITS tool; the new players and the new scheme of management of the rail transport of goods; and, finally, the management of the intermodal logistics platforms and projects of private public participation. In debates participated, as speakers prominent representatives of the logistics industry and transport in their different ways. The first point of discussion included Gonzalo Sanz, President of logic; Pere Padrosa, President of Astic (International Association of transport by road); David de la Calle, director of logistics of milk Pascual; Fernando Méndez Melle, Portel services telematic SA. In the second point: Francisco Bonache, director general of freight and logistics of Renfe-operator; Manuel Pérez-Beato, President of the AEFP (Association of private railway companies); Marcos Montero Ruiz, President of the CETIM, (Spanish Confederation of carriage of goods); and finally, in the third module of debate: Ignacio Álvarez Osorio, in representation of the EPPA (agency public ports of Andalusia); Enrique Diaz Moreno, the Navarra Agency of transportation and logistics, S.A.; Alfonso Martínez García, Abertis logistics; and Miguel Ángel Campos, director-general of exploitation of the Adif infrastructure.

It should be noted that there was a significant consensus among the different participants in defining the actions needed to improve, and therefore promote the carriage of goods by rail in Spain.

Currently, the goods transported by rail in Spain represent about 4% of the total, less than in other European countries share. Image extracted from the presentation of Francisco Bonache of Renfe-operator.

Intermodality, key to the goods by rail

At the close of the day, Secretary of promotion, Jesús Salvador Miranda Hita, pointed out that Spain needs a further development of intermodality and a more balanced modal split. In this regard, reference was made to the "change of course" required for the carriage of goods by rail to achieve greater market share, and take advantage of its advantages from the point of view of environmental and social sustainability.

Currently, the goods transported by rail in Spain (in hereon) represent about 4% of the total. It is a share significantly lower than in European countries such as France (15%), or Italy (10.4%), and has barely grown after joining new operators, following the liberalization of this mode of transport in 2005.

For its part, José Luis Cachafeiro considered "vital" to the country have a logistics system and efficient transport, given our peripheral position in Europe, and encouraged to develop a model for more efficient for the transport of goods by rail.

Intervention logic

Gonzalo Sanz, President of logic, intervened in the on the day the paper 'The logistics as a tool of economic efficiency' which addressed the importance of the railway as an alternative to the road in the flows of procurement, replenishment, 'transfers' and terminals to distribution centers.

Sanz also stressed in his speech the usefulness of the railway in the case of complete loads of large volumes and over long distances, as for short distances, said, it would not be operating.

Moreover, explained the importance of addressing the problems of time and cost, the reliability to be the key factor for the successful development of the carriage of goods: "unless there is discontinuity in the times". According to Gonzalo Sanz and concluding: "railway supply must be capable of providing global solutions in response to the productive structure of Spain, as a peripheral geography and map of 'hubs' (distribution center) European" because"Logistics does not understand neither regional nor international borders".

Since logic is it has an impact on the importance of logistic operators include planning the "rail mode", provided that particularly address the factor time (reliability) and the economic offer is optimal.

Example of rail intermodality: logistics platform of Abertis Arasur in Vitoria. Image extracted from the presentation made by Alfonso Martínez García of Abertis Logística.