€17 million in ERDF funding approved for rail access to the Port of Ferrol

• The mediation of Puertos del Estado with the Directorate-General for European Funds has enabled this project to be incorporated into ERDF 2021-2027.

07-07-2025 (Puertos del Estado . The construction of the railway access to the outer port of Ferrol will receive an estimated €17 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021-2027. This project, which is essential to improving the connectivity of the Port of Ferrol, had previously secured €59 million under the 2014-2020 EU framework through REACT funds, although only €32 million were finally absorbed. Now, thanks to the mediation of Puertos del Estado, acting as an intermediary with the Directorate-General for European Funds, the project has been incorporated into the 2021-2027 funding period, with a co-financing rate of 60%, and will therefore be included in the 2026 Business Plan of the Port Authority of Ferrol as a funded investment.

Puertos del Estado’s role as an intermediary between the managing authorities and the port authorities as beneficiaries is not only to facilitate the processing of European funds but also to ensure maximum transparency and strict management of these funds, which have been instrumental in transforming the Spanish port system into a more competitive and globally recognised network.

The state-owned port system is managing €421 million in the 2021-2027 period from the Spain Multi-Regional Operational Programme (ERDF) — €405 million — and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) — €16 million.

During this period, the ERDF funding allocated to the Spanish state-owned port system focuses on the objectives of a Greener Europe, through actions in energy efficiency, renewable energy and shore-side electricity supply to ships; and a More Connected Europe, with an emphasis on improving rail accessibility and supporting island regions.