Spain and Morocco Launch Studies for 40-Kilometer Tunnel Linking Europe and Africa

The Spanish-Moroccan joint commission met on Monday to discuss this project and launch the studies. It consists of the construction of a tunnel of about 40 kilometers that will connect the two countries. During the high-level meeting held in February in Rabat, Spain and Morocco agreed to "accelerate the studies of the project of the fixed link of the Strait of Gibraltar which was launched forty years ago. A strategic project for Spain and Morocco, but also for Europe and Africa."

The Monday meeting made it possible to validate the studies carried out since 2009 by the Spanish company in charge of the studies (Secegsa), and its Moroccan counterpart, the SNED, and to agree on the development of a global strategy and a work plan over a period of three years. Initially, the tunnel should be used for the transport of passengers and goods. Then, the possibility of using it as a gas pipeline for gas transport was mentioned, recalls 20minutos.

The tunnel will extend over 42 km, including 27.8 km underwater and 11 km underground (38.67 km in total), between the tip of Paloma in Tarifa, and the tip of Malabata, in the bay of Tangier, with a maximum depth of 300 meters. Despite the initially high cost of the project, in the long run, the tunnel would have a considerable impact on trade relations between Europe and Africa, promoting better freight traffic, greater productivity of companies and the relocation and creation of businesses.

With the reactivation, the tunnel could see the light of day in 2030-2040. It would have two single-track tunnels, each with a diameter of about 7.9 meters, and a 6-meter service tunnel. The three spaces would be connected by transverse walkways at regular intervals of 340 meters, including 100 meters in the safety zone.