The journey takes participants across the iconic 25 de Abril road-rail Bridge, aboard a Fertagus train, offering breathtaking views and highlighting the strategic connection between the two riverbanks.

Upon arrival on the South bank, the visit continues by Light Rail Transit, with aspecial service operated by Metro Sul do Tejo (MST) to the maintenance depot, where participants will have the opportunity to gain insight into thetechnical, operational and maintenance processes that ensure the safety and reliability of this light rail system.

The return to Lisbon is completed by boat, offering a scenic river crossing that combines efficiency, sustainability and panoramic views of the city.

This technical visit brings together knowledge, innovation and multimodal transport, providing a valuable opportunity for professional learning and the exchange of best practices.

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_{More detailed information regarding the programme and logistics will be provided at a later stage}

The journey itself is a highlight of this visit. Participants will travel aboard a very special Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) vehicle: the Allan VIP, an Allan 0300 series diesel railcar, dating from 1950s. Refurbished in the 1990s for special and charter service (hence the “VIP” designation), this historic railcar offers enhanced comfort, including a small meeting room, providing an exceptional setting for technical exchange while travelling.

‍Terminal XXI, at the Port of Sines, is a highly efficient, natural deep-water container terminal with the capacity to receive the world’s largest mega-container vessels. Located on the south west Atlantic coast of Europe, directly on the main East–West and North–South intercontinental shipping routes, Terminal XXI allows mainline services from Asia, Africa and the Americas to call at Sines without deviation via the Mediterranean or North Sea, significantly reducing sailing time and fuel consumption. The terminal benefits from direct rail and road access, fully integrated into the Atlantic Corridor of the Trans European Transport Network (TEN T), enabling fast, reliable and efficient freight connections onto Europe.

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Upon arrival, participants will take part in a technical visit to Terminal XXI, guided by Medway, the largest freight rail operator in Portugal. The visit will provide first-hand insight into:

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• container port operations at Atlantic gateway scale,
• logisticflows and intermodal coordination,
• real operational constraints, and the solutions adopted, at the rail–port interface

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For railwaysafety professionals, the freight rail terminal offers a particularly valuablelearning environment, allowing direct observation of:

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• interfaces between terminal operators and railway undertakings,
• shunting movements and train operations within an intense industrial environment,
• infrastructure and operational safety arrangements in a high capacity logistics environment.

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_{More detailed information regarding the programme and logistics will be provided a ta later stage}

The visit begins with a journey aboard Lisbon’s iconic Tram 28, operated by Carris. Departing from Martim Moniz and winding its way to Estrela, this historic tram offers a classic and immersive introduction to Lisbon’s urban landscape and transport heritage.

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At Estrela, participants are introduced to one of the most significant recent investments in urban rail projects: the Lisbon Metro expansion through the new Estrela and Santos stations. This project creates a new circular line in the city centre, enhancing network capacity, resilience, and connectivity through approximately 1.9 km of new underground infrastructure.

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Participants will visit the construction site of the 54m deep station, guided by Metropolitano de Lisboa, walk through the tunnel from Estrela to Santos, gaining a unique insight into the technical and operational challenges of large underground metro works.

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From Santos, the programme continues with a journey on the new Carris trams, travelling through the city until Praça da Figueira.

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This visit combines Lisbon’s transport heritage with contemporary infrastructure development, offering a distinctive technical and cultural experience.

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This technical visit offers a unique opportunity to travel to the vibrant city of Porto aboard a Pendolino train, operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP), combining comfort, speed, and advanced railway technology.

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In Porto, participants will visit Contumil Depot, a state of the art maintenance facility where Pendolino trains are serviced using predictive maintenance techniques, as well as the Infraestruturas de Portugal (IP) Operations and Control Centre, responsible for monitoring and managing railway operations across the northern region of the country.

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Dinner and overnight accommodation in Porto will be at the delegate’s own expense.

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On the following day, the programme continues with an in depth technical visit to Metro do Porto, including its network, depot, and Control Centre, providing valuable insights into the operation of one of Portugal’s most advanced urban rail systems.

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Before returning to Lisbon, participants will enjoy a ride on the Guindais Funicular, offering a distinctive and memorable perspective over Porto’s historic riverside area, with panoramic views of the Douro River, the Dom Luís I Bridge, and the surrounding urban landscape.

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_{More detailed information regarding the programme and logistics will be provided at a later stage}