Marhaba Operation Resumes: Malaga Port Braces for 100,000 Moroccan Travelers

This year, a significant flow of Moroccans living abroad is expected in the Andalusian ports as part of the Marhaba Operation. The port of Malaga will be in high demand for this first post-Covid edition due to its connection to Melilla through two maritime lines. Around 100,000 Moroccans living abroad and 20,000 vehicles are expected in this port, through which more than 66,000 Moroccans living abroad and 14,000 vehicles had transited in 2019, an expected increase of 50%, reports Diario Sur.

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

Similarly, the main roads in the province, such as Las Pedrizas and those crossing the Costa del Sol, will be heavily used by those who will opt for the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa. In 2019, more than 2.3 million Moroccans living abroad and 534,734 vehicles passed through these ports, which should also expect to welcome more travelers this year.

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

The flow will be very important on certain dates, namely July 8, 9 for Eid al-Adha scheduled for July 10, July 14 for the French National Day, and the period from July 29 to August 1. In anticipation, rest areas have been set up in several municipalities in the province and on the main roads (A-92, A-45, A-7 and AP-7), with a capacity of 1,900 vehicles.

The shipping companies Baleària and Trasmediterránea will provide the connections between the Spanish and Moroccan ports, with two daily rotations except on Fridays. In total, 113 trips will be made between June 15 and August 15.