Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility and the Cantabria regional government have signed an agreement to build the Llano de La Pasiega intermodal terminal in the municipality of Piélagos. The project involves an investment of €62m (US$71m), including VAT.
The agreement was signed on September 16 by Adif president Pedro Marco de la Peña and Eduardo Arasti, Cantabria’s regional minister for industry, employment, innovation and trade. Transport Minister Óscar Puente and Cantabria President María José Sáenz de Buruaga presided over the ceremony.
The terminal will cover more than 14ha and connect to the Palencia-Santander railway line. Puente said it will strengthen the existing link between the recently expanded Muriedas facility and the Port of Santander, promoting rail freight transportation.
Puente stated, “This is a firm and concrete commitment that dispels any doubts that might have existed regarding the decision adopted by both governments.”
The cost will be shared equally between Adif and Suelo Industrial de Cantabria (SICAN), and both will co-own the terminal in equal shares once it is complete. The agreement, authorized by the Council of Ministers in June, sets the terms of collaboration and financing, as well as the framework for the future operation of the facilities. It covers project design and construction works.
A monitoring committee will oversee execution of the planned activities. It will comprise two representatives appointed by Adif, one from the Government of Cantabria and one from SICAN.
The terminal is part of a broader project to give Cantabria an intermodal and interregional logistics hub with port, rail and road connections, covering a gross area of 200ha, according to the ministry. It said the terminal also aligns with its Mercancías 30 (Freight 30) plan, which aims to raise rail freight’s modal share to 10%. The ministry said a financing agreement reached in 2024 will enable the Port of Santander to expand its freight capacity by connecting trains, ships and trucks.
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