20 December 2018

Evolution of the different modes of transport in Spain

In Spain, domestic and international transport has suffered a decline due to the economic crisis of 2008. However, during the last years the transport of merchandise has shown a positive evolution in virtually all modes of transport. Below we review the situation and evolution of each of the modes of transport in Spain: By road, rail, sea and air.

Road transport in Spain
Road transport is one of the most traditional transport modes in Spain. This plays a strategic role in relation to exports. However, it is a sector affected by the increase in price of diesel. The main destination countries in road transport are our neighbors: France and Portugal. They are followed by Germany and Italy.

Regarding autonomous communities, Valencia is the largest volume of merchandise received and delivered at an interregional level. In the international sphere, on the other hand, Catalonia is the community with the greatest activity in transport.

Shipping in Spain
Shipping is one of the most important ways in which the volume of goods you register. The fact that Spain is a country of coast favors the imports and exports of merchandize by means of marine transport.

The Spanish cities with the highest port traffic registered (in tonnes) in 2017 were Algeciras, Valencia and Barcelona.

The air transport in Spain
The air transport of goods is key for Spain to be a promoter of commerce, industry and tourism. This mode of transport makes possible the communication of the country at a global level.

The airports of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Seville and Malaga are the largest volume of goods transported to other countries. On the national level, however, the islands of Gran Canaria, Tenerife North and Mallorca stand out, as well as the capital, Madrid.

The rail transport in Spain
Rail freight transport has been influenced by the economic recession begun in 2008. Although from 2013 the volume of goods transported is recovering, it has not yet been reached at the levels of 2007. The city that stands out in transport Railway is Madrid, followed by Barcelona.