Morocco’s Summer Exodus: Transit Smooth as Vacationers Head Home

The Tanger Med transit point is especially the focus of attention for Abdelkrim Benatiq, Minister of MREs and Migration Affairs. Indeed, it is precisely this port that channels the largest flow in terms of passengers and vehicles, notes L’Économiste, who recalls that the peak of departures was expected over the past weekend.

In reality, the scale of the logistics and preparations required for this operation is no longer to be demonstrated. For proof, the same source recalls that in 2018, Tanger Med had recorded the entry of 49,000 travelers and 12,000 cars in a single day, while for this year, more than 2.739 million MREs have returned to the country (as of August 29).

Faced with the magnitude of the task, the competent authorities organized themselves this year, with the collaboration between the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity and the Ministry, to avoid the unpleasant scenario of last year. Thus, in order to ensure great fluidity at Tanger Med and in the other ports through which the MREs transit, several actions have been taken.

One of these major actions is undoubtedly the implementation of a fleet plan consisting of 28 ships operated by 9 shipping companies and serving 11 lines, especially when we know that maritime transport represents 43.1% of the flow of MREs.

Another equally important detail is the date of August 12 on which Eid al-Adha was held this year, unlike the previous one (August 24). This notably allowed the MREs to better organize their return to Europe in advance. These are all facts that, according to the same source, have managed to avoid a number of problems and explain why no major incident has occurred so far.