Ports and terminals outline operational priorities
The meeting opened with a presentation by ALSA on the Algeciras Port Railway Terminal, which has been operated 24/7 since late 2024. Upcoming major works in 2026—including nearly 10 months of closure for the rolling motorway—were identified as a key challenge for maintaining traffic flows.
TAG Speaker Luis Nuñez presented the main outcomes of the Terminal Advisory Group. With an estimated 800,000 trucks expected to cross Algeciras by 2030, shifting flows to rail will be crucial. The group also discussed opportunities and risks arising from the new EU capacity regulation, including increased freight potential, but also higher IT and process complexity.
It was agreed to continue regulation-related discussions in the next TAG meeting and to update the terminal list for ETC alignment.
RAG calls for more predictable planning and more reliable TCR information
RAG Speakers María Valdés and Miguel Rebelo (APEF) presented the main concerns of railway undertakings. Both Spain and Portugal continue to face last-minute TCR announcements and prolonged works, making planning difficult and causing a loss of customers and traffic.
By contrast, RUs reported that TCR planning in Germany and France is generally more predictable. ADIF explained that managing a large volume of deep works with many contractors complicates forecasting, but agreed on the importance of closer coordination with RUs.
IP and several RUs stressed that compensation schemes should be included in EU funding, as current TCR costs are not fully covered.
Concerns were also raised about changes to pre-arranged paths (PaPs) between publication and final offer. Examples for TT2026 will be sent to the Corridor for review.
Upcoming TAG and RAG consultations for 2026
Atlantic RFC presented the two major consultations planned for 2026. New performance KPIs linked to the capacity regulation must be automatically calculable and harmonised.
Terminals in Portugal noted that they had not been consulted previously; this will be clarified between the MB and the TAG Speaker.
The RAG also proposed including the northern Portugal–Spain freight line in RFC activities—this will be assessed by the Executive Board.
Performance monitoring and expansion of QCO meetings
DB InfraGO presented the operational KPI monitoring approach defined under the TEN-T Regulation, already endorsed by the ETC coordinators.
Atlantic RFC confirmed that new QCOs for the Portugal–Spain borders will begin in 2026, focusing initially on reducing high dwell times at the Vilar Formoso–Fuentes de Oñoro border crossing.
Language requirements and communication tools
UIC provided an overview of European initiatives to reduce the operational impact of B1 language requirements, including Translate4Rail, DigiForm, ATHENA/ODICEO and others. Authorisation will follow the Train Drivers Directive once tools are ready.
SNCF Réseau announced that ATHENA could be tested from summer 2026.
ADIF reported that GSM-R coverage at Irun is now available for French RUs, with full testing beginning at the end of November.
A separate meeting will be organised to address language derogations requested by Portuguese RUs at ES–PT borders.
AoB and next steps
Under AoB, participants raised the possibility of organising PCS training for Spanish RUs who are unable to travel. Atlantic RFC will examine this request.
The meeting closed with a review of next steps and continued cooperation between TAG, RAG and the Atlantic RFC.
See the RAG-TAG presentations at: https://atlantic-corridor.eu/library/public-documents/?cat=1246
These are the partners that make the Atlantic Corridor flow.
