
New Tarifa-Tanger ferry route by Baleària enhances Spain-Morocco links
The Spanish shipping company Baleària will launch a new maritime route connecting the port of Tarifa (southern Spain) to Tanger Ville starting on May 8, the company announced in a statement on Tuesday.
This route will be operated by the high-speed ferry Avemar Dos, which recently successfully completed docking trials at both ports. This marks the fourth route operated by Baleària between Spain and Morocco, according to the company.
Upon its opening, the line will offer four daily round trips in each direction, with the frequency expected to gradually increase during the summer season. The crossing, estimated to take one hour, will initially be operated by Avemar Dos, before the introduction of a second, renovated high-speed ferry.
«The launch of this new line is a strategic step to strengthen our presence in Morocco», said Georges Bassoul, CEO of Baleària, as quoted in the statement.
As part of its energy transition, the company also plans to construct two 100% electric, zero-emission high-speed ferries, which are expected to serve this route by 2027.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Maroc
3 days ago
- Maroc
Tangier-Tarifa: Zero-Emission Electric Maritime Link by 2027
The Spanish maritime company Baleària presented on Tuesday in Tangier a project for an electric, zero-emission maritime link between Tangier and Tarifa, operated by two high-speed electric ferries set to be launched in 2027. The presentation ceremony was attended by Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, the Spanish Ambassador to Morocco, Enrique Ojeda, the President of the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, the President of the Port of Tangier City, the Spanish Secretary-General for Air and Maritime Transport, and the President of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council. This public-private partnership project aims to establish a green maritime corridor between Europe and Africa, enabling a fully electric, CO2-free crossing between the two shores of the Strait. It includes the construction of two twin vessels in Spain and the installation of port infrastructure for electric charging in both Tangier and Tarifa. In a statement to MAP, Minister Kayouh stressed that strengthening the maritime fleet is part of a broader strategy to ensure smooth and sustainable mobility, particularly within the framework of the Marhaba Operation, conducted under the supervision of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity. He noted that the ministry is supporting the operation by mobilizing around 29 vessels, offering a weekly capacity of 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles across four Moroccan ports and twelve European ports. "The goal is to make as many vessels as possible available to meet rising demand and ensure optimal crossing conditions for Moroccans living abroad," he said. For his part, Baleària's CEO, Georges Bassoul, stated that each vessel will produce 16 MW of electric power via four electric thrusters powered by batteries with a capacity of 11,500 kWh, allowing the entire crossing to be completed using electric propulsion only, with zero emissions. In a detailed presentation of the project's technical aspects, Bassoul emphasized that these will be fully decarbonized crossings, meeting 2050 sustainability goals as early as 2027. MAP: 24 June 2025


Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
Tanger-Tarifa Zero-Emission Electric Maritime Route to Launch by 2027
Marrakech – Spanish maritime company Baleària presented a groundbreaking project in Tangier on Tuesday for an electric maritime connection between the northern Moroccan city and Tarifa. The initiative will deploy two zero-emission 'fast ferries' scheduled to begin service in 2027. The project presentation ceremony took place with several high-ranking officials in attendance, including Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, and Spain's Ambassador to Morocco, Enrique Ojeda. Other notable attendees included the president of the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, the president of Tangier City Port, the Spanish Secretary General for Air and Maritime Transport, and the president of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council. This public-private partnership aims to establish a 'green corridor' between Europe and Africa, enabling a completely electric, CO2-free crossing between the two shores of the Strait of Gibraltar. The project encompasses the construction of twin vessels in Spain and the installation of necessary electrical charging infrastructure in both Tangier and Tarifa ports. In a statement to MAP, Kayouh said that strengthening the maritime fleet is part of a broader strategy to ensure smooth and sustainable mobility, particularly during Operation Marhaba, supervised by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity. He noted that the ministry is supporting this operation by mobilizing approximately 29 ships with a weekly capacity of 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles, operating through four Moroccan ports and twelve European ports. 'Our goal is to provide the maximum number of vessels to meet growing demand and ensure the best crossing conditions for Moroccans living abroad,' Kayouh stated. Baleària Director General Georges Bassoul detailed that each vessel will develop 16 MW of electric power generated by four electric propellers powered by batteries with a capacity of 11,500 kWh. This configuration will allow the ships to complete the entire crossing using only electric propulsion without generating emissions. During a technical presentation, Bassoul said these will be completely decarbonized journeys, meeting 2050 objectives as early as 2027. He explained that electric propulsion will eliminate not only emissions but also noise and vibrations. Each ship will be equipped with four diesel backup generators with a total power of 11,200 kW, designed for potential emergency situations. The complete recharging of the fast ferries' batteries will occur during the scheduled one-hour stopover in each city. Storage systems with 8 MWh gross batteries will be installed in both ports, supplementing the land-based electricity supply of 5 MW in Tarifa and 8 MW in Tangier. Bassoul added that the vessels will be charged by two innovative autonomous robotic arms capable of recharging the batteries necessary for crossing in just 40 minutes. The twin vessels will be 25 meters wide with a capacity for 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, reaching a maximum speed of 26 knots. Passenger comfort will be enhanced by spacious, well-lit interiors with numerous amenities and a T-Foil system that reduces the ship's vertical movement. The ferries will feature high maneuverability thanks to deck fins, two bow thrusters, and four rudders. They will also be equipped with two high-capacity ramps at the stern, designed for faster operations and maneuvers during port stays. Read also: Morocco's Maritime Fleet Declines to 17 Ships, Government Plans Revival Strategy Tags: BaleariaMaritime RouteSpanish company BaleariaTangier and Tarifa


Morocco World
4 days ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Targets 2029 FIFA Club World Cup Hosting Rights
Rabat – Morocco is reportedly among the countries interested in hosting the FIFA Club World Cup in 2029. Spanish sports-focused website Marca said Morocco is taking steps to explore a potential bid to host the tournament. 'Morocco has now formally entered the race for the 2029 tournament,' Marca wrote on Monday, noting that the North African country is exploring bid requirements that signal 'serious intent.' The news outlet emphasized that Morocco's potential bid is independent from its partnership with Spain, with which the North African country will host the FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal in 2030. In addition to Morocco, football powerhouses like Spain and Brazil are also keen to host the tournament, which reflects the 'tournament's elevated status, providing clubs and federations now see it as a crown jewel worth competing for,' Marca concluded. Morocco has hosted several prestigious competitions and is preparing to host yet another major tournament, like AFCON, later this year, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2030. The country's reputation as a reliable host has drawn widespread acclaim, including from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), particularly for its world-class sports infrastructure. Earlier this month, FIFA Tournament Sub-division Director Jaime Yarza lauded Morocco's record in hosting major sporting events, describing Morocco's infrastructure as 'exceptional.' 'The infrastructure is modern and professional. Morocco now has nothing to envy from major European countries.' In April, CAF President Patrice Motsepe renewed his frequent remarks, emphasizing Morocco's development in terms of sporting venues. Motsepe attributed Morocco's progress in football to the relentless efforts by the government and Morocco's Football Federation (FRMF) to develop this buoyant sector and contribute to the reputation of the country and its teams, not only in Africa but throughout the world. 'During the CAF delegation's visit to several stadiums in Morocco, they were amazed by the quality of the high-level sports infrastructure,' he noted. CAF chief also expressed pride about Morocco's great achievements in the field of sport, particularly football. Tags: 2025 FIFA Club World CupFIFA World Cup 2030