Analysis and Viability of Railway Exportation to Europe from the South of Spain

More and more companies nowadays are opting to broaden their horizons in order to offer their products or services abroad. The need for the export arises from the current economic situation, not only in the Andalusian region but also throughout the rest of Spain. While domestic demand is at a standstill, foreign trade is often the best or the only alternative to safeguard the financial survival of the company. The trading of a product beyond national borders implies requirements or demands in which risks and costs occur. This paper is focused on an important challenge, the transport, particularly the freight transport by rail. Railway transport presents interesting advantages, but also some constraints in reaching every place and potential customer. At this point, its combination or intermodality with the road system has a great value, since the road is the nexus between companies and intermodal chains where the trade takes place. This paper defines the options for the railway transport of freights from the south of Spain to Europe, and studies one particular case, to be used as a guidance for companies interested in exports.