Marhaba 2025 : Tense weekend at Algeciras and Tanger Med, port authorities urge advance planning

Ya Biladi

4 days ago

Travelers who crossed the Strait of Gibraltar over the weekend of July 12–13 won't soon forget the experience. Entire families were stranded for hours in their vehicles under sweltering conditions, temperatures exceeded 30°C, as they searched for shade in the scorching parking lots of the Algeciras and Tanger Med ports. On social media, frustration ran high.
«We arrived around noon for a 1:30 PM ferry. Two hours later, nothing. Another two hours—still nothing», said one Moroccan traveler in a TikTok video that quickly went viral. «People, frustrated, approached the [Moroccan] police to demand answers», he added.
The weekend proved especially difficult: 21,000 passengers crossed on Saturday and 24,000 on Sunday from Algeciras to Tanger Med, many describing the conditions as «deplorable». According to Europa Sur, morning ferries operated by FRS/DFDS were delayed by up to seven hours, with disruptions continuing into Monday. «We didn't expect such high traffic. There was a serious coordination issue, especially with border police services», admitted a company spokesperson, citing understaffing on the Moroccan side for passport control.
A Rule to Follow to Avoid Delays
Another major cause of congestion is non-compliance with ticketing regulations. Port authorities and ferry companies stress that only passengers with a confirmed ticket for the same day are allowed access to the port. It is no longer permitted to board on a different date, regardless of availability.
«In the past, travelers could change their departure date if space was available. That's no longer allowed», an industry source told Yabiladi. «This isn't a new rule. It's the result of years of observation. What's new is that we're strictly enforcing it this summer».
The same source emphasized that the rule is not a restriction, but a necessary condition to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
To minimize confusion, the message is clearly displayed: «Even before reaching the port, travelers will see a large electronic sign visible from the road, in Arabic, French, Spanish, and English. You can't miss it», the source insisted. A public awareness campaign is also underway, particularly on social media and media channels targeting Moroccans abroad. «We know it's new for some people, so we're using every tool available to inform them».
The same source insisted that the issue is not about blaming travelers, but encouraging better planning. Travelers are strongly advised to consult the traffic forecast calendar, which identifies peak travel periods. These tools are made to help them organize their trips.
Booking a ticket in advance, respecting the scheduled date, checking traffic forecasts, and using official information sources remain the best guarantees for a smooth crossing.
August Travel Under Close Watch
The busiest period is still to come. The return phase, scheduled from August 1 to 31, is expected to be even more intense. Tanger Med have confirmed that during this time, access to the port will be strictly limited to passengers holding a ticket for the same day—no exceptions.
? From August 1st to 31st, access to the port of Tanger Med is reserved for passengers with a ticket for the same day. Objective: streamline traffic and secure the return of MRE ??⛴ #TangerMed #MRE #Marhaba2025 #Maroc pic.twitter.com/cuwWU8E9Io
— Yabiladi.com (@yabiladi_fr) July 7, 2025
This measure is meant to prevent congestion and ensure crossings take place under decent conditions.
The Spanish port authority (APBA) also issued reminders: in Algeciras, vehicles are only allowed to present themselves up to six hours before departure. The Llano Amarillo parking area has been activated to help manage traffic flow. Still, despite these efforts, delays continue to mount.
Speaking to Europa Sur on Monday, an APBA official admitted concern: «The numbers are already higher than in 2024, and there are fewer ferry rotations. The pressure is real».
So far, more than 590,000 passengers and 146,000 vehicles have crossed in one month, a rise of 8% compared to the same period last year.