New restrictions and routes for dangerous goods in Catalonia 2026: what changes for transporters

Key data

Dangerous goods transporters operating in Catalonia, and especially those serving the Tarragona petrochemical complex, must review their routes and hourly planning immediately. The Resolution ISP/1933/2026, of June 15, modifies two key annexes of the circulation restriction regulations for 2026 in Catalonia, with direct effects on itineraries and available time windows for circulation.

The regulation modifies Resolution ISP/300/2026, of February 6, which already established the general framework of restrictions for the current year. This modification is not minor: it updates both the restriction schedules of Annex A and the mandatory Group I itineraries contained in Annex D, with special attention to the Tarragona area due to works on the TV-3146 road.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution acts on two annexes of the circulation restriction regulations in force in Catalonia for 2026:

Annex A — Updated restriction schedules

Annex A sets the new schedules in which circulation is restricted on certain interurban roads in Catalonia. The specific sections and directions are specified in the resolution, and the applicable time slots are as follows:

Restrictions apply by specific sections and directions of each road, as detailed in the resolution in the text of Annex A.

Annex D — Mandatory Group I itineraries in Tarragona

Annex D reviews the mandatory itineraries for companies transporting Group I dangerous goods in the Tarragona area. The three destinations or access points affected by mandatory itineraries are:

• BASF (facilities in the Tarragona petrochemical complex)
• La Pobla de Mafumet Refinery
• Tarragona maritime port

Additionally, the resolution incorporates provisional routes motivated by ongoing works on the TV-3146 road. These alternative routes are mandatory while the works on that road continue, and temporarily replace the usual Group I itineraries in that area.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this resolution is mainly operational, with indirect economic consequences derived from the reorganization of routes and schedules:

• Shift and load replanning: The restriction periods (10-14h and 17-22h on working days; 10-22h on Sundays) require adjusting departure and arrival times for vehicles transporting dangerous goods on affected roads.
• Longer routes due to TV-3146 works: Provisional itineraries may involve longer journeys, with consequent increases in driving time, fuel consumption and personnel costs.
• Risk of sanctions for non-compliance: Circulating outside mandatory Group I itineraries or during restricted time periods may result in administrative sanctions. Dangerous goods transport regulations provide for serious and very serious violations in these cases.
• Coordination with industrial clients: Companies supplying BASF, the La Pobla de Mafumet refinery or the Tarragona maritime port must communicate time window changes to their clients to avoid incidents in goods receipt.

Who does it affect?

• Dangerous goods transport companies operating on interurban roads in Catalonia, especially in the Tarragona area.
• Group I transporters with routes to or from BASF, the La Pobla de Mafumet refinery and the Tarragona maritime port.
• Logistics operators and fleet managers planning routes on roads affected by new restriction schedules.
• Industrial companies in the Tarragona petrochemical complex receiving dangerous goods supplies and needing to coordinate delivery windows.
• Professional drivers regularly circulating on the sections and directions specified in Annex A of the resolution.

Practical example

A Group I chemical products transport company that makes daily deliveries to the La Pobla de Mafumet refinery from its base in the Barcelona metropolitan area previously planned departures at 10:30h to arrive in the early afternoon.

With the new resolution, that departure falls within the morning restriction period (10:00-14:00h) on the affected roads of Annex A. The company will need to advance the departure before 10:00h or delay it until after 14:00h, taking into account that the afternoon period (17:00-22:00h) is also restricted.

Additionally, if the route uses the TV-3146, it must apply the provisional itinerary established in Annex D while works continue, which may involve a detour with additional kilometers and longer driving time per service.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify affected roads: Review Annex A of Resolution ISP/1933/2026 to determine if the sections and directions your fleet regularly uses are included in the new hourly restrictions.
2. Update route planning in Tarragona: If you operate with Group I dangerous goods to BASF, the La Pobla de Mafumet refinery or the maritime port, review Annex D and apply the updated mandatory itineraries, including provisional routes due to TV-3146 works.
3. Adjust departure schedules: Reorganize driving shifts to avoid restriction periods: 10:00-14:00h and 17:00-22:00h on working days, and 10:00-22:00h on Sundays.
4. Communicate changes to clients: Inform industrial recipients (especially in the Tarragona petrochemical complex) about new available time windows for goods delivery.
5. Update route documents: Ensure drivers carry updated documentation with current mandatory itineraries, especially provisional ones for the TV-3146.
6. Verify exact entry into force date: The resolution enters into force eight days after publication in the DOGC. Calculate the exact date from official publication to avoid unintentional violations.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-16758