Latest news with #MarhabaOperation
Morocco World
29-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Total Commercial Traffic at Morocco's Ports Hits 60.8 Million Tonnes in Q1 2025
Rabat – Moroccan ports' volume of commercial traffic reached 60.80 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2025, according to recent data from the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts. The number shows an increase of 10.2%, the directorate said, attributing the growth to the strengthening of transhipment traffic, which accounted for 49.9% of total traffic. Export traffic and import traffic, as well as coastal shipping, also contributed to the reported growth. As for passenger traffic, Moroccan ports witnessed the transit of 720,645 travelers by the end of March, representing an increase of 3.9%. Cruise activity also saw a recorded growth of 46.9% in the first quarter of this year, with a total of 55,668 cruise passengers. Air transport activity also showed continued growth with a double-digit rate by the end of the first quarter, strengthening by 16.4%. The center also highlighted Morocco's measures to facilitate the return of Moroccans residing abroad, which is set to strengthen ports performance. Moroccan ports receive millions of passengers between June and September as part of the Marhaba Operation, an annual initiative the country launches to facilitate the transit of Moroccans residing abroad as well as travelers visiting the North African country from different destinations. This is expected to contribute to Morocco's economy as well as the tourism industry. In 2024, Morocco welcomed 17.4 million tourists, and the country expects 26 million travelers by 2030. Tags: airports moroccoMoroccan ports
Maroc
25-06-2025
- Business
- 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
24-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Marhaba 2025: Morocco Prepares to Facilitate Travel of 7.5 Million Passengers
Rabat – Morocco's Ministry of Transport announced a strategy to facilitate the travel of 7.5 million passengers and two million vehicles across 13 maritime routes as part of the 2025 Marhaba Operation. Minister of Transport Abdessamad Kayouh announced on Monday the news at the House of Representatives, noting that 29 ships have been mobilized with a weekly capacity of 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles spread across 13 maritime lines. Authorizations have also been granted to 59 airlines to operate around 2,135 weekly flights between Moroccan airports and 141 international airports. Kayouh also commented on Royal Air Maroc's deployment and contribution to the operation, noting that the carrier mobilized four additional aircraft for the summer season. It will offer a total of 6.6 million seats, an increase of 700,000 seats compared to 2024, the minister said, adding that Royal Air Maroc's summer program reflects the carrier's commitment and support for efforts to facilitate the return of Moroccans living abroad. Morocco adopted the 'Open Sky' policy in 2006, a decision that has contributed to the logistics sector with over 50 airlines, including several low-cost carriers. Marhaba operation is an annual initiative that Morocco launches to facilitate the transit of Moroccans from June to September. Last year, Moroccan authorities stressed that over 2.8 million passengers, including 2 million Moroccans living abroad and 662,000 vehicles, transited through Moroccan ports during last year's edition.
Morocco World
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Ceuta Gears Up for Marhaba Operation 2025
Rabat – The Spanish enclave of Ceuta is gearing up for Marhaba Operation, an annual initiative to welcome millions of members of Morocco's diaspora during the summer season. Spanish news agency EFE said on Sunday that authorities in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta implemented a series of measures to facilitate the transit of Moroccans as part of the operation, which will take place from June 15 to September 15. EFE quoted sources from the local government in the enclave, noting that measures will concern the Loma Colmenar zone, about 100 meters from the Tarajal border. The zone is where vehicles arrive in Ceuta from Algeciras port for passing. Cars stop in the area pending the authorities' permit to leave for the border. Ceuta authorities deployed digital tools designed to 'improve the user experience' through the Embolsamiento Ceuta mobile application, which is available in three languages to allow users to see estimated wait times at the border crossing checkpoint. The application also seeks to enable the passengers to check the expected vehicle flow on dates like weekends and holidays. EFE announced that the application is available on both the Apple Store and Google Play. Authorities forecast a 4% increase in the number of people who will transit through the operation this year, in addition to a 5% increase in vehicle transits. Ports and transit centers ready for visitors Moroccan authorities are also gearing up for the kick-off of the operation. In May, Morocco's customs administration announced measures to simplify vehicle import rules for diaspora as part of the upcoming Marhaba operation. As part of the announced measures, Moroccans aged 60 and older who have lived abroad for at least 10 years can now receive a 90% tax reduction on their imported vehicle's new-state value. Moroccan and Spanish high-level officials have also repeatedly held meetings as part of their joint efforts to facilitate the transit of Moroccans flocking to the North African country for the summer season. Both sides frequently express determination to cooperate to ensure the smooth, safe, and secure running of the operation. Last year, over 2.8 million passengers, including two million Moroccans living abroad, and 662,000 vehicles transited through Moroccan ports between June 5 and September 5. The number represents an increase of 5.5% in total passenger traffic compared to the same period in 2023. It is also up 17% in Moroccan diaspora transits and a 9.5% increase for vehicles. Morocco mobilized over 29 ships capable of making 535 weekly trips, providing a weekly transport capacity of approximately 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles. Tags: Marhaba 2024Marhaba 2025
