Latest news with #TransportandLogistics
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Business
- 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
Maroc
4 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
'Marhaba': Morocco Prepares for Transit of 7.5 Million Passengers, 2 Million Vehicles via 13 Maritime Routes- Minister
The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, announced on Monday at the House of Representatives that, in preparation for the 'Marhaba' operation, his department has taken a range of measures, in close coordination with all stakeholders, to ensure the transport of 7.5 million passengers and 2 million vehicles via 13 maritime routes. In response to a question on "transport fares across all modes," Kayouh stated that 29 ships have been mobilized, with a weekly capacity of 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles, distributed over 13 maritime lines, totaling 7.5 million travelers, 2 million vehicles, and 7,800 crossings. He added that authorizations have been granted to 59 airline companies to operate approximately 2,135 weekly flights between Moroccan airports and 141 international airports. Kayouh also noted that the Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has mobilized four additional aircraft for the summer period and will offer a total of 6.6 million seats- an increase of 700,000 seats compared to 2024- reflecting RAM's commitment and involvement in efforts to facilitate the return of Moroccans residing abroad. The minister recalled that, as part of its strategic choices, the Kingdom adopted the 'Open Sky' policy in 2006 - a decision that has paid off, with over 50 airline companies, including several low-cost carriers, now operating in Morocco and connecting the country to numerous destinations, mainly in Europe. MAP: 23 June 2025
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Marhaba 2025 : 7.5 million passengers, 2 million vehicles, and 7,800 crossings
The Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, announced on Monday before the House of Representatives that, in preparation for Operation Marhaba 2025, his department has implemented a series of measures in coordination with all stakeholders to ensure the transport of 7.5 million travelers and 2 million vehicles across 13 maritime routes. In response to a question about transportation fares across all modes, Kayouh said that 29 ships have been mobilized, offering a weekly capacity of 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles, for a total of 7.5 million travelers, 2 million vehicles, and 7,800 crossings. He also noted that 59 airlines have been authorized to operate approximately 2,135 weekly flights between Moroccan airports and 141 international destinations. As for Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the national carrier has added four aircraft to its fleet for the summer season. It will provide 6.6 million seats, an increase of 700,000 compared to 2024, reflecting the ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of Moroccans living abroad. The minister recalled that, as part of Morocco's strategic choices, the country adopted an Open Sky policy in 2006. This decision has paid off, with more than 50 airlines, including several low-cost carriers, now operating in Morocco and connecting it to numerous European destinations.
RTHK
20-06-2025
- Business
- RTHK
$10 toll for Central Kowloon Route 'the best option'
$10 toll for Central Kowloon Route 'the best option' A number of lawmakers said they feel the proposed HK$10 fee for the Central Kowloon Route is too high. Photo courtesy of the Highways Department The transport chief has defended a plan to charge motorists HK$10 for using a brand-new arterial road connecting East and West Kowloon, after several lawmakers called on the government to consider adjusting the across-the-board fee. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan on Friday said the authorities are trying to strike a balance between striving to recover costs and ensuring public usage in coming up with a suitable toll level. The administration had considered various options for the Central Kowloon Route, including toll-free access as well as fees of HK$10 or HK$17. A 4.7-kilometre-long stretch of the route, named the Yau Ma Tei section of the Central Kowloon Bypass, is expected to open this year. A number of lawmakers complained that the proposed fee level was too high, with one of them, Chau Siu-chung, raising the possibility of halving the charge to HK$5. Fellow legislator Bill Tang urged the government not to rush into charging motorists but to instead let them use the route for free initially. "How about we wait until it has been opened at the end of this year and monitor actual traffic flows before deciding on the toll?" he said. "And if the government is setting a fee level, depending on whether the community accepts it, how does HK$8 sound?" Mable Chan, in reply, said a cheaper toll fee might not be the best option. "We need to spare some capacity for when the traffic load increases," she said. "We need to be prepared. "In terms of diverting traffic and sparing capacity, charging HK$8 is definitely not as ideal as a HK$10 fee... But of course, it's most important that residents will use the route. "Otherwise, it's not worth it to simply charge tolls to the point where residents will not use the route." If lawmakers approve the proposal, the government plans to charge road users in the middle of next year, when the entire route is scheduled to be completed. Officials also plan to raise tolls at Aberdeen and Shing Mun tunnels from HK$5 to HK$8, citing the fact that the fees have not been increased in 34 years. The new charges for the two existing tunnels could take effect within a month upon approval by the legislature. Separately, the government said time-varying tolls implemented in late 2023 at the city's three harbour crossings would remain unchanged for now amid further monitoring of the situation. Since the tolls shake-up at the tunnels, traffic flows at Western Harbour Crossing have increased by 19 percent to around 104,000 vehicles per day, according to official figures. To handle the increased traffic load, transport authorities plan to construct an additional lane at the tunnel's exit on the Hong Kong Island side. The work is to be completed by the first quarter of 2026.
RTHK
10-06-2025
- Business
- RTHK
HK in first simultaneous LNG bunkering, cargo handling
HK in first simultaneous LNG bunkering, cargo handling Hong Kong has successfully completed its largest single liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation and marked a significant milestone with the first-ever ship-to-ship LNG refuelling alongside simultaneous cargo handling. The operation, conducted at Kwai Tsing Container Terminals on June 5, saw partners CLPe and CNOOC Guangdong Water Transport Clean Energy Company deliver 10,000 cubic metres of LNG to the German container vessel Hanoi Express. By integrating LNG bunkering directly with cargo loading and unloading in a streamlined process, the Hanoi Express was able to refuel within 24 hours, significantly reducing the ship's port turnaround time and operating costs. 'The whole operation is about 20 hours. Try to imagine that if the container ship has to wait or spare another 20 hours just for fuel adding or reloading, then it translates to a matter of time, a matter of resources and a matter of money,' said Ringo Ng, CLPe's managing director. 'When a ship has to park in any particular port, there will be a cost incurred and people incurred. So I think this is very important. There is very high demand from all these international liners.' Ng said this achievement represents a major advancement for Hong Kong's capabilities as a green port and further solidifies the city's position as a leading hub for sustainable marine fuels. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said the simultaneous operation will encourage the bunkering sector in the SAR to expand services for vessels using LNG and other green maritime fuels. She added that this operation will enhance international shipping lines' confidence and convenience in choosing Hong Kong for their bunkering and cargo handling needs.
