Rabat Moroccan and Spanish authorities have intensified coordination efforts ahead of the annual summer travel season under Operation Marhaba 2026, aimed at facilitating the movement of passengers between Europe and Morocco across the Strait of Gibraltar.
The enhanced cooperation was discussed during a meeting between Rosario Soto, head of the Port Authority of Almería, Morocco’s Consul General in Almería Soumia Fathi, and Colonel Latifa Karbal of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity.
The talks were held as part of preparations for Spain’s annual Operation Crossing the Strait, which runs alongside Morocco’s Operation Marhaba. Discussions focused on readiness measures at the Port of Almería, one of the principal maritime gateways linking Morocco and Europe.
Spanish officials highlighted a series of improvements implemented ahead of the peak travel period, supported by an investment of €1.6 million. The upgrades include enhanced staffing, improved port infrastructure, expanded passenger services, and better access routes, all aimed at ensuring smoother travel conditions and reducing congestion.
The Port of Almería is one of the busiest maritime links between Morocco and Europe, ranking second only to Algeciras in passenger traffic.
This year’s operation will also benefit from the introduction of a new ferry connection to Nador operated by Africa Morocco Link. The addition increases the number of ferry operators serving the route to four, a move expected to ease pressure during peak travel weeks and improve service reliability.
Moroccan officials noted that months of preparation have gone into ensuring close cooperation with Spanish counterparts, particularly as large numbers of Moroccan expatriates residing in Europe return home during the summer holidays.
To facilitate the process, the Moroccan Consulate opened a dedicated assistance office at the Port of Almería on June 15. The office provides consular, administrative, and social services on-site while enabling faster coordination with Spanish authorities and more efficient handling of logistical matters.
Officials from both countries emphasized that the joint preparations reflect a shared commitment to maintaining order, safety, and efficiency during one of the Mediterranean region’s busiest seasonal migration and travel operations.
