Spanish Port of Algeciras Urges Concrete Plans for Morocco Ferry Resumption

"It is essential to precisely define the dates for the resumption of maritime traffic so that everything is ready and well organized," said Gerardo Landaluce, president of the APBA, after the visit of Pedro Sanchez to Rabat. A beneficial visit, in the sense that the two countries have agreed, among other things, to restore maritime passenger links as soon as possible, suspended since March 2020.

This situation led to the cancellation, for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) of Operation Marhaba which allows Moroccans in Europe to pass through the Spanish ports, notably those of Algeciras and Tarifa (Cadiz), to go to Morocco during the summer season. These two ports concentrate 80% of the traffic during this Operation which usually takes place between June 15 and September 15 each year, reports ABC.

To read: Algeciras and Tarifa Ports Prepare for Resumed Morocco-Europe Transit Operation

In 2019, the last year it took place, Operation Transit allowed the passage to Morocco of 3.3 million people and 760,000 vehicles via the Spanish ports. "The ports of Algeciras and Tarifa are delighted with this new stage in the relationship with Morocco, which will allow the resumption of the maritime passenger link with Tanger Med and Tanger Ville," said Landaluce.

For his part, the mayor of Algeciras, José Ignacio Landaluce (PP), believes that this year’s Operation Marhaba will see greater participation than in previous years, calling for a rapid resumption of maritime passenger traffic. According to him, the closure of the borders has caused losses of "more than 100 million euros" to the city’s port sector.