Moroccan Diaspora Summer Return: 3 Million Expected as ’Operation Marhaba’ Resumes

The ports of Algeciras and Tarifa are the two ports most frequented by Moroccans residing abroad during this operation, due to their proximity to the ports of Tangier and Ceuta. They absorb more than 72% of the vehicle and passenger traffic, according to Granada Hoy, specifying that the port of Motril (Granada) plans to reach 150,000 passengers this year on its links to Nador, Al Hoceima and Melilla.

To read: Morocco Prepares for Smooth ’Marhaba 2022’ Transit as Diaspora Returns Home

This year, 42 license plate readers have been installed in Irún and La Junquera to record information on the flow of Moroccans residing abroad arriving with their vehicles at the ports. Similarly, 15,995 national police and Civil Guard officers have been mobilized to ensure the safety of passengers and property during the Operation.

To read: Morocco Expects Record Summer Influx as Diaspora Return Operation Begins

The Operation will be launched this Wednesday with peak dates to remember, such as July 8 and 9, Eid al-Adha obliging, and the last weekend of July for the start of the August holidays. The Transit Operation will end on September 15.

For this first post-Covid edition, strict health rules must be respected by travelers. They must provide a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test dated within 72 hours. Passengers with or without vehicles must enter the port of Algeciras with their tickets already purchased online.