Andalusian Ports Prepare for Return of Operation Marhaba After 2-Year Hiatus

The Andalusian ports are ready for the 2022 edition of Operation Marhaba, which will begin on June 15. The cancellation of this operation in 2020 and 2021 prevented thousands of Moroccans residing in Europe from traveling to the kingdom to spend their summer vacation, recalls El Confidencial.

To read: Almeria Port Prepares for Return of Moroccan Expatriate Transit Operation

The Port Authority of Almería (APA) has planned this week the installation of tents in the pre-boarding areas to allow passengers bound for Nador to wait in the shade. In 2019, there were 580,000 transiting through the port of Almeria, notes the APA, which predicts a "good Operation Marhaba" this summer.

To read: article 92031

The Port Authority of Motril is also ready to welcome the MREs. In 2019, 160,226 passengers and 36,447 vehicles transited through the port of Motril during Operation Marhaba. "The regular shipping lines with Morocco generate directly and indirectly a benefit of around 100 million euros per year..." the Authority said.

To read: Port of Malaga Gears Up for Record Influx of Moroccan Travelers in 2022 Marhaba Operation

As for the Port Authority of Malaga, it has announced that new waiting and pre-boarding areas will be created and that a space will be set up for the Red Cross and the civil protection service. A toy library will also be installed for the entertainment of the little ones, as well as tents for passengers and vehicles.