Morocco Expands Ferry Services for Summer Travel, Adding Routes to Europe

"Moroccan ferries and ships will have to enter the Strait of Gibraltar crossing market... This is one of the expected spin-offs with the entry of the Swedish Stena Line into the capital of the Moroccan company Africa Morocco Link," Les Inspirations Éco reports, announcing "the arrival of 6 new ships to swell the fleet" of the company and the launch of new lines to Spain, France and Italy from the ports of northern Morocco.

The company is working to make these new lines operational this summer. "The option of express chartering of new ships to support the strong demand during the summer, with the Marhaba operation marking the return of Moroccans living abroad (MREs), could serve as a buoy to better play its cards in this high season," explains the newspaper, however recalling that Morocco has not yet relaunched its national flag for traffic via the Strait of Gibraltar, largely ensured by Spanish companies.

Africa Morocco Link, created in 2016 and now owned by the road transport operator CTM, has been investing for several years in the Transit Operation, which generates one billion euros in annual turnover. "For the Swedish Stena Line, the entry into the capital of Africa Morocco Link is precisely aimed at taking maximum advantage of the potential offered by this strategic axis in commercial exchanges and passenger transport between Africa and Europe," comments the publication.

And to add: "Moreover, the observation that emerges lately is the growing interest of non-Mediterranean shipping companies in the crossing of the strait, which says a lot about the opportunities and challenges. Last September, the Danish shipowner DFDS (Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab) Seaways acquired FRS Ibéria/Maroc". The Marhaba Operation 2023 mobilized 32 ferries and ships for the transport of Moroccans from Europe, particularly from Spain, France and Italy, to Moroccan ports and vice versa.