Morocco-Spain Ferry Suspension Threatens Algeciras Port’s Summer Economy

Morocco has resumed its maritime links with other countries, but not with Spain. Passenger maritime traffic with Spanish ports has been suspended since the onset of the health crisis, affecting the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa which connect Tangier as part of Opération Marhaba. This operation, which could not be held in 2020 and 2021, has caused enormous losses (in economic and employment terms), not only for the shipping companies and travel agencies operating in the area, but also for hoteliers, car rental companies, service stations, etc.

To read: Algeciras Urges Spain to Restart Ferry Links with Morocco for Summer Transit

The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) alone has lost more than 40 million euros, or 6.8 million passengers and 1.6 million vehicles over these two years. The port of Tarifa, for its part, has lost 3.2 million passengers and 414,000 vehicles. Whereas in 2019, the last year Opération Marhaba was held, 3,340,045 passengers and 760,215 vehicles crossed the strait via the Spanish ports, El Confidencial reports.

To read: Morocco Excludes Spanish Ports from Annual Diaspora Return Operation

In 2020 and 2021, Morocco excluded the Spanish ports from Opération Marhaba, preferring the ports of Sète in France and Genoa in Italy. "The problem is no longer health, since transit is allowed from other European ports. It is now a diplomatic conflict and this worries us more," said Manuel Triano, president of the travel agency association of the Port of Algeciras in Campo de Gibraltar, adding that a third year without Opération Marhaba would be "deadly" for employment in the region.

For the APBA, the resumption of maritime links with the ports of Morocco is the "top priority" this year. "After these two years, the economic and employment situation is very worrying for the companies in the sector. We hope for a rapid resumption of activity in the near future," wished the president Gerardo Landaluce.