Ferry Operators Clash Over Tarifa-Tangier Route Contract

In a press release published on November 18, Balearia, while acknowledging that the port authority of the Bay of Algeciras had not yet designated the winner of this contract, announced that it had won this 135 million euro contract to supply two electric ferries with a capacity of 800 passengers and to build two charging stations in Tarifa and Tanger city. The duration of the contract is 15 years, reports Le marin.

In response, DFDS-FRS Iberia deplored the non-compliance with procedures by Balearia, accusing its competitor of a biased approach bordering on an attempt to force the hand of the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras. Recalling that it had obtained the best technical score in the context of this call for tenders, DFDS-FRS Iberia cries foul and reserves the right to refer the matter to the competent courts.

Currently, the Tarifa-Tanger line is managed by two companies: DFDS-FRS Iberia under the concession granted by the Port Authority of Algeciras, and Africa Morocco Link, under the concession awarded by the Port Authority of Tanger. Last year, the Tarifa-Tanger city line recorded 1.308 million passengers, compared to 2.7 million, of which 2.5 from Algeciras, for Tanger Med.