Malaga Port Gears Up for Record-Breaking Moroccan Diaspora Return Operation

"This year’s Marhaba Operation will be historic, even if we don’t have all the details yet regarding the organization, as the coordination committee has not yet met and the Melilla border with Morocco has still not been reopened to restore the free movement of people and goods. For us, this is what will determine whether there will be more or fewer passengers in Malaga," explains Carlos Rubio, the port’s president, to Diario Sur.

In the meantime, the Port Authority has already launched a tender to strengthen its passenger reception capacity, which could reach or even exceed the level of 2019, the last year the Transit Operation was held. That year, a total of 142,955 travelers and 29,949 vehicles used the services of the port of Malaga, or nearly 15% for passengers (124,981) and 32% for vehicles than the previous year.

The tender aims to recruit a company for the installation of two tents in the waiting area before boarding, at the entrance to the San Andrés quay, as well as toilets, a chapel and rooms for Red Cross volunteers. "All of this is in preparation. We also hope that the Melilla border will reopen normally and that we will have a good Marhaba Operation," added the Port Authority.

For now, Malaga does not have a direct link with Morocco, but negotiations are underway for the launch, very soon, of a line with Nador, Rubio assured. On Monday, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior gave the green light to start preparations for the Marhaba Operation. About 17,000 national police and Civil Guard officers, and at least 70 social workers and interpreters, will be mobilized for this operation.