Tanger Med
 

Hi Folks,

All change at Tanger Med. came through last week and after disembarkation yo no longer have to drive through the port to the Gare Maritime. There is a new link road to the right of the oil tank area which passes below the new railway line. This leads to a new customs area where traffic is divided into those vehicles registered in Morocco and those requiring a D16ter.
The whole process for our group took less than 25 minutes including registering those who'd not been to Morocco before. The usual banks and insurance office are immediately after customs.
Let's see how long it lasts this time...

It's been unseasonably warm in the south this week with strong hot winds. We're holed up with Rachid in the Auberge Lac Maider tonight as the wind's really picking up the feche-feche.

Happy trails,

Peter

I don't know how long things have kept the same in the past, but it was like this when I went through in early August. Very quick and simple; excellent as this was my first time! Thanks, by the way Peter, for the advice before I left! :thumbup1:

Good to here Pete, hope to be in Morocco Monday morning.

Might bump into you again somewhere

Indicated 45 in Zagora 2 days ago. Now in Ta Ta and it feels slightly cooler.

Only a matter of time...
 

Hi all,

Arrived back at TangerMed today expecting to pull up outside Balaeria office to collect boarding cards and proceed to customs only to find a JCB ripping up the new Tarmac. There is now a holding area/car park where you have to leave your car and walk 100m to the ferry offices. Only one security guard in the car park versus half a dozen smacked out young lads wandering around half-arsedly asking for money, etc. Harmless but sad.
The banks decided to shut up shop at 3pm but the guys at the vehicle insurance office were willing to change money at the back door of their portakabin.

Two steps forward and one step back but don't let any of this put you off coming to Morocco. It's still a fantastic, friendly and fun country to visit.

Happy trails,

Peter

Tangier-Med
 

It would be a shame if Tangier-Med drifted back into the ways of Ceuta. Having said that big changes going on at Ceuta, I came through there a week ago in about 10mins.
Over the last few month I have used Tangier-Med with very mixed results. Twice missing the ferry because of the massive delay in going through the vehicle scanner, 6 vehicles at a time. The resulting wait was over 4 hours dockside and 3 moves to different births.
Back in May the delay and missed ferry meant an uncomfortable night sleeping in the vehicle.
Outward can mean a very long cue to get the on-board paperwork done.
Touts are slowly finding their way back.
I am in and out of Morocco every month and am looking closely at the proposed changes at Ceuta.
But as all say, don’t be put off……Morocco is much more than just a great destination

TangerMed vs Ceuta
 

Not been through Ceuta for a few years and thinking of going back...

1, The SeaCats don't run to TangerMed anymore so it's a two hour crossing.
2, Turnaround time of the big ferries is slow if they're carrying a lot of freight.
3, TangerMed can be hell if two or more ferries arrive at once (not uncommon)
4, Avoids the long haul over the top if you're heading for Tetouan/Chefchouan
5, I understand insurance office and banks have returned to Ceuta (anyone confirm this?)

However, there are no touts in the customs area at TangerMed and in a good day transit can be pretty quick.

Any thoughts?

Peter

Tangier-Med
 

Hi Peter

Agree with your points 1-5 and affirm my earlier ones.

I am not anti T-Med but I do seem to have had a few probs there over the last few months. It would seem that the initial enthusiasm is wearing off.

A week or so ago is was given the run-around by a couldn't be bothered officer because I didn't have with me the cancelled vehicle exit doc for a vehicle I didn't have with me. The concept of owning [we are a tour business] a number of vehicle failed to get through.

Also be aware that the early ferries from Algeciras to T-Med can be full with trucks and trailers BEFORE they start with the public vehicles......again it with happened to us and our clients a few weeks ago.

Anyway, Ceuta suits us better so we will keep an open mind.

Yes, it looks like all the old scruffy offices at the Ceuta border have been mostly demolished with insurance and cash available at exit on right.

It looks like Ceuta is going the way of T-Med with drive-through booths.

Ray