Spain-Morocco Thaw May Revive Long-Planned Gibraltar Strait Tunnel Project

The normalization of relations between the two countries could allow this project, which dates back to the 1970s, to take shape and offer "a fixed link across the Strait of Gibraltar." 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).

To read: Morocco and Spain Revive Plans for Ambitious Gibraltar Strait Tunnel Project

One thing is certain, the project remains topical, especially since the two countries have expressed their willingness to work together for its development by setting 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 Company for Studies of the Strait of Gibraltar (SNED) in Morocco. The Joint Committee, composed of ten members (5 Spanish and 5 Moroccan), meets at least once a semester, in Spain or Morocco.

At the transcontinental level, the tunnel would have a considerable impact on trade relations between Europe and Africa, promoting better freight traffic, greater business productivity and the relocation and creation of businesses. The tunnel could see the light of day in 2030-2040. It will extend over 42 km, including 27.7 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.