INTEGRA-LOG: Redrawing European Logistics from the Pyrenees

By Carolina Ciprés and Dr. Teresa de la Cruz

Every year, more than €70 billion in trade flows between Spain and France. Yet the logistics map that sustains this exchange is far from balanced. Today, most freight traffic crosses the border at the extremes: Irún–Hendaye in the west and La Junquera–Le Perthus in the east. This concentration creates congestion along these corridors, while other connections remain underutilized. Freight transport between the two countries continues to be dominated by road, while rail remains underused, a mismatch with European ambitions to promote multimodality and decarbonize transport.

At the center, the Zaragoza–Pau axis represents one of the major untapped opportunities in southwestern Europe. Its limited use not only reduces the efficiency of the logistics system but also constrains the economic development of a region with high strategic potential. This challenge is compounded by a complex reality. The Pyrenean geography, regulatory differences between countries and the historical lack of stable cooperation mechanisms have all hindered the development of truly integrated logistics in this area. The question is no longer whether capacity exists to redistribute flows, but how to unlock this potential in a coordinated, sustainable and long-term way.

This is the starting point for INTEGRA-LOG. Running from June 2026 to May 2029, this European cross-border cooperation project, funded under the Interreg POCTEFA 2021–2027 programme, brings together a consortium of universities, technology centers, public administrations, clusters and companies with a shared goal: to transform the Aragón–Nouvelle-Aquitaine axis into a more integrated, efficient and sustainable logistics corridor. With a budget of nearly €2.8 million, 65% co-financed by ERDF funds, the project aims to go beyond isolated infrastructure improvements.

INTEGRA-LOG is part of a broader European context. In recent years, the European Union has focused on building a more resilient, decarbonized and digitalized transport system. Initiatives such as the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the Territorial Agenda 2030 highlight the need to improve regional connectivity and reduce territorial imbalances. In this framework, cross-border areas like the central Pyrenean corridor have become key laboratories for testing new forms of cooperation and governance.

The project approaches logistics as a complex system where physical flows, administrative decisions, technological capabilities and knowledge converge. One of its first priorities is to build a shared vision of the territory: understanding existing assets, analyzing current flow dynamics and identifying the barriers that limit their evolution. Only through such a joint diagnosis can coherent and scalable solutions be developed.

Digitalization plays a central role in this effort. The project will develop tools such as a logistics digital twin, capable of simulating different scenarios and anticipating the impact of decisions on the transport system. It will also create a cross-border service platform aimed at operators and public authorities, designed to improve planning and reduce operational frictions between the two countries. In a context where information is often fragmented, these tools will enhance visibility, coordination and foresight.

However, what truly defines INTEGRA-LOG is its commitment to governance. The congestion of current corridors is not only a matter of capacity, but also of coordination. Regulatory differences, institutional fragmentation and the absence of stable cooperation mechanisms have historically hindered logistics development in cross-border regions. In response, the project seeks to establish a common framework to support joint decision-making among public, academic and private stakeholders. It is not only about sharing infrastructure, but about sharing a vision.

Within this ecosystem, the Zaragoza Logistics Center (ZLC) contributes its expertise in applied research and supply chain education. Its role focuses on in-depth territorial analysis: identifying logistics assets, studying cross-border flow dynamics and evaluating potential future scenarios. This approach transforms complex data into actionable insights for strategic decision-making, linking technical analysis with real-world impact.

At the same time, the project reinforces one of ZLC’s distinctive pillars: the connection between research and education. INTEGRA-LOG will promote joint academic programmes, student mobility and the development of training content aligned with the current needs of the logistics sector. In a context shaped by digital transformation and the green transition, talent development becomes essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of the logistics system.

The project also incorporates a strong innovation and entrepreneurship dimension. It plans to create a cross-border ecosystem connecting clusters, startups and companies on both sides of the border, fostering the development of new technological solutions and business models in logistics. This support for entrepreneurship not only strengthens sector competitiveness but also contributes to the economic dynamism of the regions involved.

All these efforts are aligned with major European challenges. Route optimization, the promotion of multimodality and the strengthening of rail transport along the central axis contribute to reducing emissions and advancing toward a more sustainable logistics system. In this context, the Zaragoza–Pau corridor is not merely a geographical alternative, but an opportunity to redefine the role of logistics in the ecological transition.

Overall, INTEGRA-LOG outlines a new way of understanding cross-border logistics. Not as a collection of isolated infrastructures, but as an integrated system where connection is key: between territories, data, stakeholders and knowledge.