The Mediterranean Corridor
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Barcelona Activa Human capital Summary of sector trends: Transport October 2011 The Mediterranean Corridor The Mediterranean Corridor is a strategic However, funding to complete transport infrastructure projected to cover development of the Corridor is 1,300 km. It will cover four Spanish subject to it being considered a autonomous communities and play an priority within the TEN-T Network , essential role in the coordination of an issue which is currently under transport in Spain and also in the discussion and which conflicts with the The areaareassss establishment of routes connecting Europe proposed development of an alternative and Spanish Mediterranean areas as its covered by the route between Madrid and Algeciras. routes include important Spanish ports However, the Ministry of Development has Mediterranean such as Algeciras, Valencia and pledged to defend development of the Barcelona. Corridor is Corridor before the European Commission home to 40% of as a priority over other proposals so that it The areas covered by the may become part of the the TEN-T Core the Spanish Mediterranean Corridor is home to Network, which will handle investments in population, 40% 40% of the Spanish population, 40% rail infrastructure in Spain until 2030. of the national GDP, and 65% of of the national maritime traffic. The Spanish GDP, and 65% Government and the authorities of the of maritime autonomous communities that make up the territory of the Corridor believe that its traffic. development is essential and that it will be key to improving the Spanish infrastructure network. This is why the Corridor has been included in the Strategic Plan to boost rail freight transport, to be integrated into the future TEN-T Core Network. 2 Impact on the sector In March 2011 the Ministry of Specifically, reports supported by the Development submitted the technical Chambers of Commerce of Catalonia study of the Mediterranean Corridor and Valencia estimate that the that includes the development of a Mediterranean network will increase railway between the French border profitability by 11% and, if the Planned actions and Algeciras and should be connections to ports and airports are and investments operational by 2020. The network suitable, they will replace truck are valued at aims to connect the major transport on the roads between are valued at cities of the Mediterranean Mediterranean cities and could more than €51.3 route (Algeciras, Murcia, capture some of the present activity billion, of which Valencia, Castellón, Tarragona, in the Hamburg and Rotterdam ports. €8.4 billion have Barcelona, Girona and The most significant benefits Perpignan) to provide access already been that the development of the to their ports and logistic impleimplemented.mented. Mediterranean Corridor will provide nodes, break with the radial include the following: layout of the Spanish rail ° Reduction in the travel time network and contribute to between Barcelona and Almería better economic and social from 12:30 hrs to 4:15 hrs. In structuring of the territories many other routes, times will be reduced by more than half the involved, and to attain rail transport which is more competitive, present times. sustainable and efficient. ° Adapting the network to meet interoperability requirements with the European network will Specifically, it is expected that: facilitate the movement of freight ° In 2012 high-speed service will and passenger trains throughout begin between Barcelona, Girona Europe. and the French border, with an ° Reduction of interference investment of more than €4 between passenger and freight billion. transport, cost reduction and ° In 2013 the track duplication improvements in quality and works between Vandellós and reliability. Tarragona entered into service, ° The availability of trains up which is presently the last stretch to 750m long, which will Reduced travel of single track between Barcelona ensure the capacity and times will and Valencia. sustainability of freight transport and improve its increase ticket ° The high speed network will competitiveness. It is demanddemand,, which is extend to Alicante in 2013 and to estimated that the volume of expected to Murcia in 2014. freight transport will be more ° In 2011 the study for the than double the current multiply by 2.5, development of the level. from the current Mediterranean corridor along the ° A decrease in traffic by 925,000 Andalusian coast between trucks and 1,150,000 light figure of 3 Algeciras, Málaga, Motril and vehicles each year, which will million to 7.7 Almeria was tendered. result in a decrease in CO2 million trips emissions of 325,000 tonnes. The Mediterranean Corridor will annually.annually..... enable the creation of a first-rate European rail link for freight and passenger transport, improve and increase the share of freight transported by rail, reduce travel time for passenger transport, increase ticket demand and create a commitment to sustainable transport oriented towards environmental friendliness and energy efficiency. 3 Impact on professional profiles Impact on professional profiles The development of the ° The generation of activities Development of Mediterranean Corridor would make ancillary to transportation Spain and Catalonia into a major activities such as the the Corridor may European and intercontinental maintenance of machinery lead to the logistics platform and would become or infrastructure. creation of jobs a great opportunity to boost the creation of jobs economy, generate business activity ° The willingness of in the transport around the logistics centres, foster businesses from different sector and in all entrepreneurship and create jobs. economic sectors to set up in the Mediterranean area productive The development of the because it would become sectors. Mediterranean Corridor would result more competitive in terms in job creation due to: of transport costs for goods and people. ° An increased supply of jobs related to the land transport ° The promotion of tourism. of passengers and goods and those associated with ° Improved mobility of maritime and air transport, people, which would since more interconnected facilitate the movement of rail network with different people between different logistics centres (ports and territories and increase the airports) will increase employability of those who, transport capacity and thus for reasons of mobility and lead to the creation of new accessibility, are not jobs. looking for employment in cities where opportunities are more readily available. Co -financed by: .