Maritime Links Between Morocco and Spain Resume, Delighting Expatriates

The maritime links from the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa to Tangier resumed on Tuesday, after more than two years of suspension. The Marhaba Operation, also canceled in 2020 and 2021, is currently being prepared. Only the reopening of the land borders in Ceuta and Melilla remains for the free movement of people and goods between the two countries to be fully restored.

In the meantime, the return to normal is causing joy among Moroccans living abroad, especially in Spain, who have not seen their loved ones since March 2020. "It’s very good news. It’s been over two years since I visited my loved ones. And traveling by boat is much better than by plane, because you can carry a lot more things," Abdelkhalek Najmi, a young Moroccan living in Granada for five years, told La Razón.

To read: Algeciras and Tarifa Ports Prepare for Resumed Morocco-Europe Transit Operation

For this native of Tangier, the suspension of the Marhaba Operation for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) has led to a record increase in money transfers from MREs to Morocco. Unable to travel, they were forced to send money to their loved ones through official channels. "With the sky-high plane tickets and the PCR requirement, we couldn’t go to Morocco. Now it will be much easier," said Insaf Boulaala, a Moroccan from Tetouan and a social worker in Granada for fifteen years.

The resumption of passenger maritime traffic also delights thousands of Spaniards, businessmen or tourists who were used to traveling regularly to Morocco. "It’s a big step towards normality for Spaniards and residents of the two countries who decide to live the always enriching experience of discovering a country as magical as Morocco," explains Ana Cabeza, owner of a travel agency, who is delighted to resume her activities.