Latest news with #OperationCrossingtheStrait
Ya Biladi
11-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Record-breaking summer expected for Operation Crossing the Strait, says Spanish Minister
During his visit to the Port of Tarifa (Cádiz) on Thursday, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced that «Operation Crossing the Strait» (OPE 2025) has recorded a 5.6% increase in travelers and a 6.9% rise in vehicles compared to summer 2024. The trend points toward a new record, potentially surpassing the 3.4 million crossings registered last year, the highest since the operation began in 1986. As of July 8, the number of travelers had reached 409,000, with 103,000 vehicles, signaling what could be an unprecedented summer in terms of cross-strait movement. Grande-Marlaska praised the operation's «efficiency», describing it as a testament to Spain's strong civil protection system and effective coordination with Morocco, «crucial for the campaign's success». He emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration both in the planning and execution phases of the operation. During his visit, the minister toured the facilities at the Port of Tarifa, the second-busiest port in terms of passenger traffic. As of July 8, Tarifa had registered 71,367 passengers and 8,950 vehicles across 338 ferry crossings. He also held meetings with local and security officials and visited the border control area, where he met with representatives of the National Police, Civil Guard, Civil Protection, and the Red Cross. The visit also included an encounter with the Moroccan consul and a representative of the Mohammed VI Foundation.
Ya Biladi
02-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Algeciras port pilots vote to strike amid Operation Crossing the Strait
The Corporation of Maritime Pilots at the Port of Algeciras has voted to go on strike, with 34 out of 47 members present supporting the move. Four voted against it, while nine abstained. Although no date has been announced, the strike is expected to take place during the high-traffic Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE), which began in Spain on June 15. According to El Estrecho Digital, the strike follows failed negotiations with the fleet department after seven months of conflict over equipment and staffing shortages. The outlet describes the current moment as a «particularly sensitive period, marked by deep disagreements over the availability of material and human resources». The union accuses management of adopting an «intransigent and hostile attitude toward workers, blocking any path to agreement». Joaquín Millán, a workers' representative quoted by local media, warned that the decision to strike during OPE could «have a direct impact on port operations in the coming days». «This is a critical period for maritime traffic in southern Spain», he said, referring to the surge in passenger and cargo movement between Europe and North Africa, which coincides with Operation Marhaba on the Moroccan side. Maritime workers in Algeciras say efforts to resolve the conflict through dialogue have made little headway. They claim that management's approach has fostered «a climate of confrontation, deepening internal divisions and failing to recognize the vital role pilots play in ensuring port safety». While the specific dates and details of the strike have not yet been finalized, the union is expected to announce its mobilization schedule this Thursday. Large-scale action has not been ruled out, but union leaders stressed that «the situation could still be resolved if management demonstrates a genuine willingness to negotiate».
