Morocco Aims to Expand Ferry Routes to Europe Amid Travel Disruptions

Before Parliament, the minister explained that Morocco already has a fleet that connects Moroccan cities to ports in southern Spain, but passenger traffic between the two countries has been cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Each summer, more than three million Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) return to Morocco by sea as part of the Marhaba operation.

Unlike previous years - except 2020 when the operation was cancelled -, Morocco has excluded Spain from Marhaba. An exclusion that is explained by the diplomatic crisis between the two countries. Only the ports of France and Italy are associated with it. At the beginning of the operation, eight ferries had been put into service to ensure the maritime transport of 20,000 or 27,000 passengers per week. Two new lines have been chartered as part of an agreement signed between the port of Tangier for the Victoria I and Romantika vessels. A new maritime line will connect the Portuguese port of Portimao (South) to the port of Tanger Med as of July.

During his speech, the minister also pointed out that long-distance crossings - more than 48 hours - are lacking. Yet a Moroccan company has obtained a license to open such a long-distance link, he added. A license that the latter has not been exploited.