The Port of Barcelona has begun construction of its tallest logistics warehouse to date, a 55,000 square metre facility in El Prat de Llobregat that will serve as a key hub for supermarket chain Lidl in Southern Europe.
The warehouse, standing 15 metres high, is being developed within the ZAL Port logistics area by CILSA, the site’s management company. It represents a €42.1 million investment and is scheduled to become operational in mid-2027, according to a joint statement from the Port of Barcelona and Lidl issued on Monday 9th November 2026.
Once complete, the facility will allow Lidl to expand its non-food distribution operations in the region, increasing its total operational space at ZAL Port from 110,000 to 165,000 square metres, a 50% increase. The expansion reinforces Lidl’s position as the largest logistics operator by occupied area within the zone.
Strategic Integration with Port Infrastructure
The warehouse’s location within the ZAL Port logistics park places it in close proximity to Hutchison Ports BEST, the port’s main container terminal. This co-location will enable direct integration with Tailwind Shipping Lines, Lidl’s own maritime carrier, streamlining import flows and reducing both transit times and logistics costs.
Port authorities highlight that the project underscores Barcelona’s role as a strategic logistics node in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, offering multimodal connectivity by sea, rail and road. The development aligns with the Port’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, which prioritises sustainable, high-capacity logistics infrastructure to attract global investment.
The new facility consolidates Barcelona as one of the priority nodes in Lidl’s international network.
Boost for Regional Distribution
By expanding its footprint at ZAL Port, Lidl aims to strengthen its supply chain autonomy across Europe. The warehouse will handle non-food goods destined for stores across Southern Europe, improving delivery efficiency and inventory management.
The project reflects broader trends in port-led logistics development, with companies increasingly locating distribution centres adjacent to major maritime terminals to optimise just-in-time delivery models. Other multinational firms, including Amazon, Decathlon and Ikea, already operate from the same zone.
Sources: viaempresa.cat, portdebarcelona.cat.
