Spanish Ports Anticipate Resumption of Morocco Ferry Service After Sanchez Visit

One of the important results of Pedro Sanchez’s visit to Morocco should be the reopening of maritime borders and the resumption of Operation Marhaba, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021. This is at least the wish of the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa which have been severely affected by the non-holding of the Transit Operation over the past two years, reports Europa Sur, specifying that in 2019, the last year this operation took place, these two ports recorded a traffic of 1,166,445 passengers and 267,130 vehicles.

To read: Spain and Morocco to Discuss Reopening Borders, Resuming Marhaba Operation

According to sources from the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, the losses caused by the cancellation of Operation Marhaba are estimated at 20 million euros per year, or 40 million for the two years (2020 and 2021) when it was not organized. These losses would exceed 200 million euros for all the Spanish ports (Algeciras, Tarifa, Motril, Almeria or Ceuta) through which Moroccans in Europe transit during the summer season, according to data from the Association of Service Companies in the Bay of Algeciras (AESBA).

To read: Spanish Ports Prepare for Return of Moroccan Summer Travel Operation

Operation Marhaba was canceled in 2020 due to the health crisis related to Covid-19. In 2021, the Moroccan government announced that it was again excluding the Spanish ports from the Transit Operation, asking its nationals wishing to join the kingdom to pass through the ports of Sète in France and Genoa in Italy. The Spanish ports, the shipping companies, and especially the thousands of Moroccans who had to pay more to return to their country, are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the resumption of this operation which usually takes place between June 15 and September 15 each year.