Spain and Morocco Revive Plans for Underwater Rail Tunnel Across Gibraltar Strait

With this decision, Morocco confirms its interest in the project and its willingness to carry it out. After the normalization of their relations, Morocco and Spain have agreed to reactivate old projects, including the construction of the rail tunnel that would connect the two shores of the Strait. The high cost of the project had been an obstacle to its realization, recalls Jawad Kerdoudi, president of the Moroccan Institute of International Relations, to La Razon, stressing that the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, Arab funds or the African Development Fund were ready to support this project.

The viability of the project could also "promote the use of the tunnel as a gas pipeline between Morocco and Spain, in order to allow the transport of gas in both directions," adds the expert, who insists that the area of realization of the project in the Strait of Gibraltar is particular due to its proximity to three major ports (Algeciras, Tangier and Tangier Med) and two medium-sized ports (Cadiz and Ceuta). It should also allow the transport of passengers and goods between two terminals with shuttle trains for vehicles and trucks.

The tunnel will be 38.7 km long, with 27.7 km underwater and 11 km underground, and will extend between Punta Paloma in Tarifa and Malabata, in the bay of Tangier, with a maximum depth of 300 meters and a maximum slope of 3%. At the transcontinental level, it 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 companies. It would also add value to the development strategy of transport in the western Mediterranean.

Spain and Morocco have set up a Spanish-Moroccan joint committee and two study companies: the Spanish Company for Fixed Communications across the Strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA) in Spain, and the National Society for Studies of the Strait of Gibraltar (SNED) in Morocco. The Joint Committee, composed of ten members (5 Spaniards and 5 Moroccans), meets at least once a semester, in Spain or Morocco. The two companies keep each other informed of the progress and results of the studies.