Maritime Routes Resume Between Spain, Morocco After Weather Delays
The Port Authority of Tangier Med has authorized vessels to increase their scheduled trips to address the backlog caused by Thursday's suspension.
According to Spanish media, high-speed ferries operated by Armas Trasmediterránea and Baleària, along with Baleària's conventional ferry service, have resumed normal operations following the improvement in weather conditions.
However, maritime connections between Tarifa and Tangier City remain suspended due to ongoing adverse weather.
Thursday's disruptions were triggered by wind speeds exceeding 70 kilometers per hour, coupled with treacherous wave conditions that rendered navigation hazardous in the Strait of Gibraltar.
By Friday, conditions improved markedly, with wind speeds dropping to an average of 22 kilometers per hour, while gusts ranged between 30 and 35 kilometers per hour, allowing for safer passage.
This marks the second weather-related disruption within a week. On Tuesday, passenger movement between Algeciras, Tarifa, and Tangier ports was affected by unfavorable weather conditions impacting the Gibraltar Strait.
Several morning departures from Algeciras to Tangier Med were impacted, while all maritime connections from Tarifa were canceled that day.
Port authorities have advised passengers to contact their respective shipping companies directly regarding potential delays or cancellations of scheduled trips.
Looking ahead, maritime traffic between Tangier Med and Spanish ports remains at the mercy of weather conditions, with forecasts suggesting another potential suspension next Tuesday due to anticipated strong winds and maritime disturbances in the region.
These disruptions come amid a period of intense atmospheric pressure shifts affecting the region since early March, bringing storms and powerful winds that have led to widespread flooding across several countries.
These weather patterns have helped alleviate the drought conditions that have dominated the region in recent years.
Read also: New Freight Transport Route to Connect Tangier Med and Huelva Port Tags: Gibraltar Straitmaritime transportweather disruption
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
12-08-2025
- Ya Biladi
Palestinians swim from Moroccan coast to Ceuta to seek asylum
In recent weeks, the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has welcomed Palestinian refugees fleeing the war with Israel, according to Spanish security sources. Three of them reportedly swam from the Moroccan coast before applying for asylum in Spain. On Saturday, seven Moroccan minors entered Ceuta the same way. According to city government figures, the section for unaccompanied minors is currently housing over 480 children, despite an optimal capacity of just 132 places. The overcrowding comes amid a surge in crossing attempts in recent weeks, fueled by favorable weather conditions, particularly dense fog. Since late July, Ceuta has faced a growing wave of irregular sea crossings, especially by Moroccan migrants, including hundreds of minors, along with adults of various nationalities. In the past two weeks alone, 361 people have entered via land routes, bringing the total since the start of the year to 1,452, a 7.2% increase compared to the same period last year, according to Spain's Interior Ministry. The minors' administration, which recorded the arrival of 73 children over a single weekend last month, warns that the current overcrowding makes it difficult to provide adequate care and meet established quality standards. To ease the pressure, 27 Moroccan minors were transferred to mainland Spain on July 28 under a cooperation agreement with the Andalusian regional government, which allows temporary transfers when needed.
Ya Biladi
28-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Mechanical tourism booms in Tangier as Spaniards seek affordable car repairs
Mechanical tourism is firmly establishing itself in Morocco. Each summer, hundreds of Spaniards make the journey across the Strait of Gibraltar... to have their cars repaired. Tangier has almost inadvertently become North Africa's go-to destination for affordable auto repairs. It often begins with a repair quote considered «exorbitant» in Spain. Take Marcos, a resident of Madrid, who owns a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser. He was facing a staggering 4,000-euro bill for a complete transmission overhaul and turbocharger replacement. A quick search online led him to a car forum recommending Tangier. He followed the advice: for under 1,000 euros, including parts, his vehicle was good as new in just a few days. According to Spanish outlet El Confidencial Digital, labor costs in Morocco are around 2 euros per hour. In Spain, they can be a hundred times higher. Even a full paint job costs 500 euros, a price that would only cover a single panel in Madrid or Seville. The savings extend further: a round-trip ferry from Tarifa to Tangier is less than 200 euros. Some even plan their vacations around a visit to the mechanic. What started as a makeshift solution is becoming a regular practice for thousands of Spaniards. Moroccan garages are building a reputation, particularly those that use new parts directly supplied by manufacturers. However, the rapid growth of this parallel industry isn't without its downsides. Illegal workshops are emerging, especially near Ceuta and Melilla. Some offer last-minute fixes before technical inspections, often without official approval. The Spanish newspaper highlights «spare parts of dubious origin, including those stolen in Spain», though such instances are said to be «infrequent». Additionally, cross-border auto repairs raise environmental concerns. Morocco's more lenient waste management regulations allow for cost savings but pose significant ecological risks.
Ya Biladi
28-07-2025
- Ya Biladi
Mechanical tourism booms in Tangier as Spaniards seek affordable car repairs
Mechanical tourism is firmly establishing itself in Morocco. Each summer, hundreds of Spaniards make the journey across the Strait of Gibraltar... to have their cars repaired. Tangier has almost inadvertently become North Africa's go-to destination for affordable auto repairs. It often begins with a repair quote considered «exorbitant» in Spain. Take Marcos, a resident of Madrid, who owns a 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser. He was facing a staggering 4,000-euro bill for a complete transmission overhaul and turbocharger replacement. A quick search online led him to a car forum recommending Tangier. He followed the advice: for under 1,000 euros, including parts, his vehicle was good as new in just a few days. According to Spanish outlet El Confidencial Digital, labor costs in Morocco are around 2 euros per hour. In Spain, they can be a hundred times higher. Even a full paint job costs 500 euros, a price that would only cover a single panel in Madrid or Seville. The savings extend further: a round-trip ferry from Tarifa to Tangier is less than 200 euros. Some even plan their vacations around a visit to the mechanic. What started as a makeshift solution is becoming a regular practice for thousands of Spaniards. Moroccan garages are building a reputation, particularly those that use new parts directly supplied by manufacturers. However, the rapid growth of this parallel industry isn't without its downsides. Illegal workshops are emerging, especially near Ceuta and Melilla. Some offer last-minute fixes before technical inspections, often without official approval. The Spanish newspaper highlights «spare parts of dubious origin, including those stolen in Spain», though such instances are said to be «infrequent».
