Motril-Tanger Med Shipping Route Suspended: Port Scrambles for New Operator

The Port Authority of Motril has taken note of the decision of the shipping company Balearia, announcing that it is already looking for a new operator to ensure the continuity of the line, which has proven to be efficient and profitable, both in terms of freight volume and number of units transported, since its launch in December 2022.

During this month, 10,886 tons of goods were transported. This figure reached 444,449 tons in 2023, then 456,031 tons in 2024 before falling to 361,632 tons at the end of August 2025. In total, 1,272,998 tons of goods have been transported between the two shores of the strait since the launch of this line, reports El Estrecho Digital.

This progressive trend has also been observed in the transport of trucks. In December 2022, the number of units stood at 380 ITUs (intermodal transport units). In 2023, this figure reached 16,310 ITUs, then 17,511 in 2024 and 14,636 during the first eight months of 2025.

These figures show the important role of the Motril-Tanger Med line as a logistics corridor between southern Europe and northern Africa. The port authority is in talks with various shipping companies interested in relaunching this line as soon as possible and minimizing the impact of this suspension on regular operators and shippers.