Record Surge in Moroccan Travelers Strains Spanish Port of Algeciras

The Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, visited the facilities of the port of Algeciras (Cádiz) on Monday, hailing "the excellent coordination" with the Moroccan authorities to manage the significant flow of Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) expected from the first days of this operation which started on June 13 this year instead of June 15, due to the celebration of the Feast of the Lamb in Morocco.

For this 2024 edition, the number of MREs and vehicles is expected to increase by 4% and 5% respectively compared to 2023, when 3.2 million MREs and 775,000 vehicles transited through the Spanish ports to reach Morocco for their summer vacation. As of June 16, some 62,609 MREs and 18,440 vehicles have crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from the Spanish ports, representing an increase of 90% and 120% respectively compared to the same period last year, reports El Correo.

76.2% of MREs and 75.7% of vehicles transited through the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa, managed by the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA). This, thanks to the connections between the port of Algeciras and the ports of Ceuta and Tanger-Med, and the line connecting the port of Tarifa to Tangier-City. In terms of security, 26,000 national police and Civil Guard agents have been deployed for this operation, 6% more than last summer, Marlaska said.

The Spanish Minister of the Interior briefly exchanged on the occasion with the Consul General of Morocco in Algeciras and the representative of the Mohammed VI Foundation, welcoming the good coordination between the two countries for the success of the Transit Operation. Called Marhaba in Morocco and Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE) in Spain, this operation allows Moroccans living abroad, especially in Europe, to reach Morocco via the Spanish, French and Italian ports to spend their summer vacation there.