Estudante: Paulo José Soares Chenrrim (72070/D)

Título: “High-Speed Rail: Global and Portuguese Perspectives and the Importance of Freight Transport in the Railway Ecosystem”

Data: 30/03/2026

Hora: 14h00 (Lisbon Time)

Localização: Anfiteatro PA-3, Edifício de Matemática (Piso -1)

Orientadora: Professora Susana Isabel Carvalho Relvas (IST)

Breve descrição do trabalho: This doctoral research explores the role of rail freight transport in Portugal at a time of significant transformation in the national railway system and the planned development of the future high-speed rail network. The study analyses the strategic objectives, impacts and externalities associated with these investments, as well as their potential to strengthen logistics integration between Portuguese seaports and the main European transport corridors. Combining exploratory interviews with an economic analysis of the Portuguese rail freight market, the research also evaluates the technical efficiency of railway companies through the application of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI). The findings suggest that, although the sector already operates with relatively high levels of efficiency, productivity gains remain limited. The study highlights the potential of high-speed rail to reinforce the competitiveness of rail freight transport in Portugal and to support public policies aimed at improving logistics integration and promoting more sustainable transport systems.