The Spanish railway industry faces a series of future challenges, keeping its ability to respond in all the fields required by its technological excellence. This ability has consolidated it as one of the world’s leading providers of cutting-edge transport solutions in the 21st century. Now, it must face the challenges posed by new technologies in railway safety and the use of new fuels that allow diesel to be progressively eliminated in locomotives, adopting more sustainable energy sources. All this is part of the Spanish government’s 2030 Agenda and Europe’s commitment to be the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Brussels’ ambitious roadmap wants the railway to be the protagonist, considering it a key piece in the transition towards a sustainable mobility..
Its success model: a solid and very competitive value chain, commitment to the most cutting-edge R+D, unique know-how and service excellence
The launch of the Madrid-Seville line in 1992 was the starting point of a real revolution that many other countries want to replicate. The evolution of the Spanish railway industry in recent decades has allowed it to consolidate itself as one of the main providers of solutions for the 21st century, with a presence in projects in more than 100 countries. Its advanced technological knowledge has allowed it to overcome great challenges with a high level of leadership, excelling in design, execution, and exceptional technological display. Thus, the Spanish industry has become an international benchmark, leaving its mark, and demonstrating its “know-how” in railway infrastructures around the world. These infrastructures are known for being highly efficient, safe, and sustainable.
In recent years, the railway industry has exported its technology and knowledge to more than 100 countries on five continents
The Spanish railway industry masters the three basic needs of today’s market:
Source: Own elaboration.
In each of these steps, Spain has experts who seek and develop the best customised solutions for each client. Their extensive knowledge is their great asset, which makes them so versatile and valued. But, above all, its commitment to research, innovation, and technological development in line with the digital transformation of the sector stand out. It also takes into account key factors in today’s world such as energy efficiency and environmental sustainability, which become solid guidelines. This commitment is reflected in the economic investment (an average of 4% of turnover) in R+D+i to develop its own technology in all aspects of each project.
Synergies
This is another success factor: the construction of synergies or value networks between Spanish businesses and institutions, which complement each other perfectly to offer these comprehensive services. Mafex is a clear example of this. Its 117 members cover practically all the requirements for the implementation of a railway project based on excellence, aligned with the three pillars mentioned: avant-garde, efficiency, and sustainability.
The construction of synergies or value networks between Spanish companies and institutions complement each other perfectly to offer comprehensive services
Source: Own elaboration.
In 2023, the Spanish railway industry accounted for a market volume of approximately 17 billion euros per year, and its average annual rate is expected to increase by 3% in the next three years. Mafex member companies alone accounted for 83% of the railway exports of the national industry and recorded more than 20 billion euros of railway turnover (7.4% of industrial GDP) in last year’s calculation, generating more than 33,000 jobs.
Today, the presence of our professionals is outstanding not only in Europe but also in countries such as Colombia, Australia, Turkey, or New Zealand. And they provide relevant collaborations in projects in India, Canada, the United States, Poland and several countries in the Middle East and Latin America.
There are several relevant examples of this international expansion at all levels. The European R+D programmes Shift2Rail and Europe’s Rail have a wide representation of Spanish companies not only as founding members, but also as collaborators or subcontractors. In terms of infrastructure development, the projects that stand out are the Marmaray project, in Turkey; CrossRail, in the United Kingdom; or the Gotthard Tunnel, in Switzerland, which have been three of the most technically difficult underground works in Europe. Outside our continent, two good examples are the North West Rail Link tunnels in Australia or The East Side Access in New York
The Spanish railway industry’s own know-how makes it a first-rate partner
Technological Solutions
Technological developments are continuously unfolding and cover all areas, from rolling stock, control and signalling systems, to communications or passenger information.
Source: Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility.
Today, Artificial Intelligence is the main protagonist, with a multitude of applications from different sources, which has radically transformed the way in which railway systems are planned, operated and maintained, which has improved efficiency, safety and user experience in all aspects of the railway industry: Deep Learning, Machine Learning, joint use with the Internet of Things, robotics, Big Data … All of them have a significant weight in our sector in numerous areas, such as data analysis to know in real time the correct operation of the train fleet and transport infrastructures and thus carry out highly reliable predictive maintenance.
More than 80% of the portfolio of large Spanish companies is located abroad, in some 100 countries
Main innovations
Source: Own elaboration.
Without a doubt, one of the most revolutionary steps is the technology that allows the operation of driverless trains. And in this area Spain is also a leader, as it has the longest automated line in Europe.
Another great challenge is the implementation and development of the CBTC train control system on metro lines, compatible with the European signalling standard ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), and once again the Spanish contribution is being key.
Other notable innovations are the tram-train (which efficiently combines rail with tram, and it becomes the ideal means of running several routes), the new high-speed platforms or the systems for the running of trams without catenary.
The Spanish railway sector has become a world benchmark in all subsectors: engineering, construction, supplies and logistics. Also in both aspects: public and private
Mafex brings together the strength of a pioneering industry
The main objective of our association is to promote and strengthen the presence of our members in third markets and to reinforce the positioning of the sector. Our main task is to identify new business opportunities to offer to our partners. Today Mafex members add up to 118 and they are present in more than 100 countries. They cover all the areas of the sector, offering a solid and attractive value chain qualified and prepared to offer “turnkey” solutions.
