|
First of, hello to everyone, I'm new here in this community.
I took the ferry from Algeciras to Tanger Med last Saturday and bought the ticket 1h before take off directly in Algeciras port (at Estacion Maritima). Trasmediterranean was the cheapest for me with 48eur for one way ticket for 1 bike + rider (Its 43 + 5 tax). No complications, worked quick and fine. I'm in Morocco now (marrakech currently), so if anybody wants to meet somewhere in this area I'll be happy! Heading to Essaouira tomorrow... |
Last Sunday, 180 euro for open return Algeciras-Tanger Med with Acciona, 4x4 with 2pax from Carlos.
Happy trails, Peter |
Wandering along the front at Algeciras opposite the port I enquired in one of the many ticket offices about a crossing tomorrow(Wednesday)...50Euros one way for a bike and rider.
I´ll return tomorrow morning and ask at a few more before buying a ticket. |
It's always cheaper to book a return than two one-way tickets.
I've just checked on the aferry.to website and the cheapest online ticket remains the Aciona/Trasmediterranea at €68.90 return, or €48.00 one-way. This price is also confirmed at http://www.trasmediterranea.es/en So you should be able to get this price from the Trasmediterranea ticket office at Algerciras port. In November there were two offices at the port, one was closed but the left-most one further along was open. |
Yes you're correct Tim, I paid 48 Euros with Transmed one way.
|
The prices tend to move with the seasons, the winter months are when you can get some real bargains.
I've just booked for Tuesday with Transmed to Tanger Med and the best price for motorbike/1 person (with open return) is now €76.90. |
Latest on motorcycle crossing Algeciras - Tangier Med
Hi Team.
Just planning our crossing (for Oct 22nd 2016). Have trawled a few threads and found the info re forms so thanks so much for this time saver: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...gier-med-87282 And found the advice re AFerry | Compare Ferries Online. Ferry Tickets in Europe & Worldwide for booking But still have 2 q's 1) Current open return via aferry is £92.00 for motorcycle + 2... seems good but hear tell of "Carlos' by Lidl and his amazing rates. Can anyone clarify if this is still operating and what current costs are for motorcycle + 2? 2) Can anyone clarify if open really works? Is it first come first served, if so how full are the ferries (IE what are our chances of simply turning up and rolling on) and does open cover ANY day or simply any time within ONE day? Apologies if this is covered but we can't find it so far :D Will update with fresh info post trip! B+S :D |
Ferry costs Algeciras/Tarifa to Ceuta/Tanger
Carlos did me my cheapest ever open return on Sunday. 165euro for 4x4 and 1 person plus the present
Open has always worked for me just turn up and get on the next ferry |
Club Camaleon 4x4: Marruecos el Imperio de las sensaciones is cheaper and works online:
Algeciras-Ceuta and Algeciras-Tanger Med 169€: 1 4x4 and 2 person, open return. And best of all: they work online, so you pay online and get back online the ticket code (if traveling with Balearia) o the ticket ready to print (if traveling with Acciona-Transmediterranea). Regards :) |
On Sept 09 Carlos charged E200 for 2 pax + car for open return on Balereas.
|
Does "open" really work?
Re the question above on whether "open" tickets work, I can say at least that "reservations" don't (at least in our case: Going on FRS, planned northbound from Tangers, but we then went through Tangers-Med).
A "reserved" place simply meant that we didn't have to go stand in line for a ticket at the dock, but we did have to get into the first-come, first on the ferry queue. Southbound a week later we were again booked for a specific ferry again, or though we were, but spent five hours waiting in the queue at Algeciras. Lessons learned: 1. Don't go through Tangers Med if you can avoid it. 2. Departure times are aspirational, not informational. 3. Be prepared to sit in a queue. This is probably more fun in Tangers itself, as the dock is right by the old town, but make sure you have a good book handy in any case. Sorry, I realize that this is too late to help the person who originally asked the question but maybe someone else can benefit? |
FRS tell me that this is their timetable for April 2017:
Algeciras-Tangier Med: 6h/9h/12h/15h/18h/21h/23:59h Tangier Med-Algeciras: 2h/8h/11h/14h/17h/20h/23h Price for one person €41 return, no information on vehicle costs though. |
Got an open return today from Carlos, not the man himself, but a guy who spoke good English
The coordinates below are 100% accurate, as is the website link below (stolen from previous posters, so cheers to them) 1 person, 1 Motorbike, 80 Euros, open return on Balearia (i can take the 10am or 4pm ferry out, 11am/5pm ferry back) They even filled out the TIP/D16 for me and in the pack with the tickets were two copies of the immigration forms for outbound and inbound. Nice touch. Would 100% reccomend Viajas Normandie GPS N36 10.767 W5 26.475 Proximamente |
We were a ripped off by Carlos this time and he did it to 4 of us. It was the man himself, not staff or daughter(s).
Next time i will NOT be using him. He got at least 50 Euro each over the going rate from us. At the time he said that's the price but i checked later and he shafted us. I've used him many times. NEVER again. |
Quote:
I already warned long ago about his business and the way he manages it (i.e. does not accept credit cards, only cash ...hum ... black..black...). |
Sorry to hear that.
I've travelled to Morocco since 2011, 8 times in the last 2 yrs, and brought tickets from various places and have found Carlos not only one of the cheapest but also the most helpful. Just got back into Spain, €200-2pers and vehicle, open return. And open on a Sunday. Late November to January, there was a huge spike in prices. Just my experience. |
Sorry to hear about your experience.
We've used Carlos for years. Always found him and his daughters very friendly. They've always got us a good deal - significantly cheaper than the other outlets. He'll prepare the D16ter for you if you email in advance or call in and give him some notice. We had a rush job a few years ago but he sorted our tickets and then personally delivered them to our campsite in Tarifa. He's very generous with the cake and bottle - for each group member not just the guide. Yes it's cash only - he's got a deal going on somewhere... Back in March so we'll let you know if there are any problems. Happy trails, Peter |
Hi there,
just booked an open return ticket with Carlos for 100 Euro, 1 man 1 moto, Algeciras - Tager Med. Seemed fair to me. Plus Wine and Cake. He a takes Creditcards now. Regards |
Booked with aferry for early March...bike and two people return Algeciras/ Tanger med return.....£130. Saturday sailing...
|
First customer of the day at Carlos. Same good deal and of course Cake and Wine [emoji41]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
:thumbup1: Good, hope to be there end of next week. Safe travels.
|
I’m here for a while if you want to meet up for a beer
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Sounds good. My rough plan is down to Moulay Bous on the 11th ish, 12th Casa and Marrakech 13th-16th for a few days, with maybe a day in Essaouira.
Not sure if any of that fits in with you. Cheers, Markbeer |
_€180 open return from Carlos, 1per, campervan. Plus cake and vino. Cheers to all and safe travels.
|
Tarifa > Tanger Ville (FRS)
1 motorcycle, 2 persons, open return, 175€ |
Just a heads up, the agent in Tangier Med for FRS says the the prices are going to rise after Ramadan for the summer.
It'll be interesting to see what FRS and others charge. Safe travels. |
I purchased a round trip ticket, open in both directions, from Algeciras to Tanger Med for €80 from Carlos last week. One motorcycle and one person.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the low price. The ticket itself had a price of €112 printed on it, but Carlos' employee only charged me €80. Be aware that Carlos only takes cash - but, there is an ATM across the street from his agency. Michael |
Arriving in Tan Med port: procedures
We passed through Tangier Med on Saturday with few problems. If on a bike keep passport handy it will be checked as you disembark. Make sure you get it stamped on the boat. Quite a long ride through the port to reach customs. We were in the queue, with two bikes, after a few minutes an official waved us past the other vehicles and we filtered to the front! Customs official took passports and bike papers and returned with everything done. Keep the import paperwork handy for a final check at customs exit. Cash machine and insurance office shortly after on the left. Took us about 15 minutes in all to clear customs and another 15 for cash and insurance. After that drive to the roundabout and turn right for Tangier or left for Tetouan.
|
Thanks for making that very informative and helpful post.
Your experience was pretty much identical to mine when I entered at Tanger Med port on my motorcycle during the last week of January this year. For the benefit of others reading this thread who have not been to Morocco before: Immigration processing (as opposed to customs processing) is done on the ferry, on the way over to Morocco. There is always an immigration officer on the boat. You fill out your form, he stamps your passport and you are assigned a "police number" that is valid for the duration of that passport. Everyone on the boat has to get processed by this officer before they get off the boat. So, unless you enjoy standing in line behind 200 people, waiting to get your immigration paperwork done, I suggest the following: 1) Filter up to the front of the lineup in Spain, so your moto gets loaded first. This is an accepted procedure, you will not be considered rude or pushy if you do this. 2) Make sure you have your passport and a pen in your jacket pocket. 3) Once you get on the boat, tie the thing down as fast as you can, make sure you have your passport and a pen, head to the upper deck (purser's office or similar), grab the little Moroccan government form you need to fill out, fill it out, and go line up in front of the immigration officer. Sometimes, you can get hold of a blank copy of a Moroccan immigration form before you even get on the boat - for example, where you buy your ferry ticket. If you can do this, fill the form out before you get on the boat. 4) With luck, you will be one of the first people processed, before the immigration guy gets tired and pissed off, and you will then be able to go and sit down and relax for the rest of the ferry trip... instead of still standing in line behind dozens of other people after the ship docks in Morocco. Michael |
HI
I'm preparing my first trip to Morocco. The form to fill you're talking about is the one for the vehicule? The D16 ter? Trying to get one on the web, I found a notice from the maroccan Customs Site saying that since the beginning of 2019 you don't need to fill a form for vehicules. Administration des Douanes et Imp�ts Indirects Sorry it's in French, here's the translation "As of January 1, 2019, persons having their habitual residence abroad and coming to stay temporarily in Morocco are exempted from the subscription of the written declarations according to the models D 16bis and D 16ter for the motor vehicles and D 716 for the boats of pleasure craft and other watercraft. Thus, the temporary admission (AT) of these means of transport will be handled directly on the BADR computer system by the customs services at the ports of entry, on the basis of the documents presented by the traveler (valid passport, certificate of registration of the means of transport, power of attorney in the event of importation by a third person, rental agreement ...)." |
Quote:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...r-in-use-96937 |
Quote:
I was so proud of my catch! |
Tangier MED
Came through TAN MED today its was fairly simple to do.
We bought tickets the night before at the ferry port in Spain Algeciras, ingone all persons trying to stop you on the roads in the port leading uptown the tickets offices, just ride past them other wise you will waste a hot 20 mins as we did getting rid of them. Motorcycle parking at the ticket office is free and a separate area for bike parking is provided. Roll up in the morning follow the signs for the ferry, present ticket at booth, have passports checked. Go onto ferry, ride to front of que its expected, go onboard. Our bikes were strapped down for us. Go upto the information desk, fill in immigration card ( takes a couple of mins), don't forget the address where you are staying the first night. Join the que at the immigration desk on the ship get passport stamped, sit and have a brew afterwards. Get to Tan med, off the ship and you will be ushered off the ship , following exit signs, you will question about the import for your bike but customs is quite a way from the ship. Stop at the booths, give customs officer v5 ( bike doc and passport), he wanders off and comes back about 20 mins later with a little a4 card, you show that to a final check at the port and off you go. There is a line of breaau de change after the last check, rates not bad and out into the wilds you go. Compared to Western Europe the driving is a little crazier but not too bad. Do not loose the A4 card. This is the first border we have crossed and the first time out of mainland Europe and if we can do it anyone can, just remember a little patience. |
Tan Med towards Spain
Just a quick one for people returning to Spain.
The procedures for return are almost the same as going out. Turn up and buy ticket for ferry, your friendly fixers will try and help. Ride to gate, go and get passport checked, you will need a yellow leaving Morocco card filled in when you present your passport, after your tickets have been checked, ensure that you have a pen. Get passport stamped as exiting. Go to customs, present white A4 card, given on arrival, answer lots of questions from official, get card stamped twice, entered on computer and entered in a ledger by hand. Move on to next check. Have bikes scanned on x ray scanner along with cars and camper vans. Ride down to dock figure out which dock your sailing from, present tickets to ferry employees and ride on. Don't leave it last min as we did, we just about made the sailing, times seem to be flexible, a 1500 sailing set off at 1535, this is not unusual. we made it through all the checks in 40 mins, which we were informed was super quick and most officials being at there most helpful, I would give yourselves an hour just to be sure. It was a simple stress free process as was changing the money back, I got a decent rate and though we only stayed 3 days because of outside events and being new to this traveling, we exchanged 350 euros and got 150 back, that includes hotels food and fuel. Beer really is the great expense. A wonderful experience. :funmeteryes: |
170 euro quote from Carlos today for 1 person and 4x4
|
Last week return ticket with open return 62€. 1 person and a motorbike. Just do it in transmediterranea webpage
Enviado desde mi Redmi Note 5 mediante Tapatalk |
Thanks chaps - very useful posts.
A quick question: do you need to take your own straps for the ferry? Cheers |
No, you don't, and they will strap the bike for you.
|
Fantastic!
And thanks for replying. |
Welcome to Morocco
have all paperwork readily at hand, smile, don't make stupid comments, keep it a pleasant business interaction. Be ready for lots of paperwork, stamping procedures, have a lot of small denomination EUROs or Durhams if you can get them beforehand for "tips!"
Greet "the man" in French, Spanish or Arabic. Be sure to thank everyone. Don't display anything of value, or money openly, i.e. flashing the bankroll. Answer all questions immediately & directly, don't talk too much. If you have been there before let them know & that is the reason you have come back. |
Skip the tips, which just make it worse for everyone who follows.
If someone really does a heroic service (or if you're hiring private helpers, who are not necessary), tip appropriately. But to bring "a lot" of euros or dirham for this purpose is definitely not necessary (and I'm being polite). The rest--being polite, saying hello and thanks, keeping calm, not flashing money around--is totally on-target. Mileage varies, as they say. Mark |
Absolutely no need to pay anyone anything entering or leaving Morocco doh
With the latest TIP systems theres little more paperwork stamping to do than any where else. Passport on the ferry. Drive to customs hand over V5 have a chat and a laugh with the authorities ad over travellers, get TIP and V5 back and leave |
May be a change to procedure to get into Morocco with a vehicle
Travelled Algeciras-Tánger Med on 17th June 2019 with FRS. On board, two immigration officials, one doing the exit Spain stamp the other doing the entering Morocco stamp and taking white entry form. Then to another window, still on ferry, official issuing the credit card size card with bike details. Exiting boat had to show passport and bike card 3 times enroute to exit. Took under 10 minutes from exiting boat (with document checks) to money exchange and Assurance Aux Frontiere. It’s a long way from boat to the exit. |
Sounds like great news. Should ease congestion at customs on land, especially when two or more ferries arrive at once.
Peter |
Quote:
If I recall correctly, it's about 1 kilometer from getting off the ferry to arriving at the customs post, and about another 1.5 kilometers after that before you get to the exit from the port. In other words... the port is HUGE, bigger than any European port I know of, pay careful attention to the many (very clear) signs that guide you where to go. Michael |
Interesting development to speed up entry procedures.
Hopefully they'll stick with it unlike the streamlined exit procedure of a few years ago that were abandoned |
just remembered that I received a news email from Tanger med, they have a very busy period just after Ramadan and also at the end of the summer.
Doing all the paperwork on the ferry may be related to that rather than permanent. Guess we'll find out once autumn rush starts |
€180 from Carlos today. Ferry 2 hours late (no surprise)
Reported elsewhere earlier this summer that vehicle paperwork was done on the ferry. Not the case today, new procedure at the normal customs location. Hand over registration and passport, get credit card thing back. All done and out in 15 minutes Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
I made the crossing Algeciras-Tangier Med towards the end of April 2019. As mentioned before, Moroccan imigation official was on the ferry to stamp your passport - easy peasy. This was the 4:00 ferry, only about 10 cars and me with a bike. After riding up the long switchbacks to the customs gate I was told to go to a certain lane, which I did and then sat there, ignored, for about an hour as some of the cars were searched by a couple of guys, while about a half dozen other customs guys just stood around. Eventually a customs officer walked up to me and told me that this wasn't his "line", but that he would take care of me (in very polite French, not sure if he even spoke English). He asked for my passport and bike papers, walked into a building, came back out a few minutes later with my documents and a small card that I was to not lose and show if I was ever stopped, and when leaving the country.
All done, but the port was pretty deserted by then, no money changers, no insurance offices, nothing. There wasn't much of anything at all til I got over the mountains into the vicinity of Tetouan. At the end of the trip, I saw there was quite a bit more stuff between Tangier Med and Tangier town, so it would be wise to go that way if your looking for insurance, money, or gas. Also, when leaving the country, get to the port at least three hours before sailing. Everything backs up since they run a giant scanner over every vehicle on a pad that holds maybe one semi or five cars/bikes at a time. Ignore all the guys that run up to you saying they will "process" you through and go to the ferry office and customs/immigation on your own. As everywhere in Morocco - if they speak English, they are just out to scam some money off the tourists. |
Last sentence is a bit harsh. I’ve been travelling to Morocco regularly for nearly 20 years an generally find people to be friendly, polite and helpful.
Anyway, only a dozen cars on the 9am ferry to TangerMed this morning and six of those were ours. White forms still required for now on the boat. Will report back regarding yellow forms in exit in a couple of weeks. Through customs and on our way in 15 minutes. The douaniers were so short of work they got us to open our roof tents. No requirement for new drivers to visit police booth for passport composting. Port very quiet with only six or so vehicles leaving. Now having a glass of wine by the fire in the cedar forest. Still 18C and no breeze. Happy trails, Peter |
Ferry crossing Spain to Morocco
Hi all,
What’s the best ferry crossing from Spain to Morocco. What are your preferred options? Can you just rock up and get a ticket, or is it best to get one in advance? ... and what if your early or late at arrivals? I’m looking to drive down the west coast once into Morocco and looking for ease and time rather than cost Thanks |
No need to book in advance you can just turn up and go, I always get an open return so I don't have to worry about being at the port for a particular time.
Algeciras - Tanger Med is the preferred crossing for many |
Hello all,
Well; it looks like they're now x-raying vehicles/bikes randomly going into Morocco as well, but using a different x-ray lorry near the entry passport/customs posts. But it only takes 2 vehicles or 1 motorhome, so you can imagine the horn honking etc going on, it took an hour just to get through this part of entry, and only 1 ferry of about 150 vehicles. I can't imagine 2/3 ferries arriving at the same time. Safe travels. |
We have soft luggage on our bikes. How concerned need we be for them being left unattended while the ferry is crossing?
|
There is also another ferry route from Tarifa (a little further south along the coast) to Tanger too - it's a fast catamaran ferry and takes less than an hour.
Security wise, like any ferry, once the ship is under sail the vehicle deck/s are closed to passengers. You're unlikely to have anything stolen by deck crew, but if you're concerned at all, unmount it from your bike and take it with you - electronics in the cockpit area are a given of course. It might also be an idea (although I've found it by no means essential) to consider something like the pack-safe mesh covers for your soft bags if you plan to spend any time away from your bikes sight-seeing in towns and tourist attractions while en-route south. Nothing will stop the determined thief of course, but most opportunists will move on. Jx |
The Tangier-med port is very professional compared to some others, deffo the way to go. No one will touch anything there, booths for changing money, buying insurance. Grand job. Ferries safe as any I might suggest.
The one thing i would say is to go early. Get your ticket first thing in the morning, and get a sailing to arrive earlier in the day rather than later, just so you dont end up driving in the dark on your first spin in Morocco. Merv. |
It's worth clarifying that Tan-Med is a modern, purpose-built port 50km east of old Tangier city which I only ever did once. Usual commotion. I think now it's more suited to Tangier residents or foot passengers catching the train south.
For first-timers Tan-Med is by far the least stressful way to enter Morocco with a vehicle and leads straight to the toll motorway south. I had some stuff pinched off the bike on the longer Almeria-Nador ferry years ago. It was clearly the crew. I think Tim Cullis mentioned recently there's now a locked cage on the car deck for external luggage on this route, so I assume it continues. On Tan-Med crossing (only an hour), never had an issue. As suggested; turn up early and buy an open return. More on Mk ports, including maps: https://sahara-overland.com/2014/12/...getting-there/ |
Quote:
Common sense suggests you don't leave your passport, Rolex watch, & money in your soft luggage (you can't leave your passport in the luggage anyway, you'll need it to do immigration pre-clearance on the ferry). Beyond that, I think the odds are very low that anyone would go digging through your luggage. Michael |
Now I prefer to cross from Tarifa to Tanger Ville. Ferries are smaller, so not so crowded. You can even get your passport stamp while in the ferry, when crossing the Estrecho.
Border entrance is quicker too, as there are only a few vehicles to cross. If you stay at Tarifa, ask for "Morilla" restaurant to eat incredible tuna dishes. Only thing you must consider is that in case of really bad weather, port could be closed. That's not a serious problem, as you can go to Algeciras, which is 1/2 hour from Tarifa, as it's usually open, even with bad weather, |
My friend and me done Barcelona - Nador in September 2019 for £90 one way including a shared cabin. Ferry looked dated from outside, but in good condition inside with good reasonable priced food.
Didn't bother riding all the way through Spain. Cheaper and in comfort from Barcelona. Barcelona port was chaotic and boarding took a while. Nador port is small compared to Tanger Med. Also chaotic, but that's how it is. Bought our 10 days bike insurance at port with AXA Insurance. Exit out of port was easy and simple. All depends where you want to travel to in Morocco. |
Ferry Company for Morocco
Hi Everyone
A south African friend needs to book a ferry ticket to Morocco in order to get his Spanish visa. Has anyone got any recommendations Thanks, |
Balearia, FRS, Trasmeditteranae, and Africa Morocco Link (AML) all cross Spain to Morocco
|
The ferry trip from the Gibraltar area to Morocco is short, in some cases it only takes about 90 minutes.
For that reason, I don't really think it matters what ferry company your friend uses - it's not like he will be depending on the quality of the food or the comfort level of the bed in his cabin. Do be aware, though, that there are two different ferry terminals in Morocco. The biggest one, and the one most ferry companies use, is called "Tanger Med". It is quite a long distance from Tangier city. The other ferry terminal, used only by one or two companies, and with less frequent service (meaning, not every 60 to 90 minute departures like Tanger Med) is very close to Tangier city. So, if your friend has to go to Tangier city to get his visa, it would be more convenient for him to take a ferry to the smaller port near Tangier city. Michael |
Talk of new UK > Morocco freight ferry
https://www.niferry.co.uk/new-brexit...-to-uk-checks/
I suppose such routes must exist already and it's not a passenger ferry, but new deal/greater frequency and direct to Mk might ease shipping vehicles to or from Mk? I don't know what the status of Malaga van delivery vans is right now either, and if prices have been affected by Brexit complications. |
Initially it sounds interesting but when you dig deeper its not so perfect.
It will likely be freight service and possibly no passengers Company behind it was only formed in December (I think) and has no ships It would also have to come in at under £1000 for a vehicle and a passenger to get from the UK to Tanger Med to be a viable alternative to the current options. I have a friend who runs a shipping company keeping me informed of the developments |
Quote:
There could well be a market for a direct UK - Morocco ferry, but I think the market is freight (trucks), not people. Most likely 'unaccompanied' trucks, meaning just the trailer, no driver or traction engine. It's not all that difficult to start up a truck-only ferry route. You just need to get hold of a ferry (perhaps on a wet-lease, whereby it comes with crew) and make arrangements for docking at each end. To carry passengers, however, introduces an order of magnitude more complications... cabins, housekeepers, food service, health control, advertising, web bookings, agency commissions, onboard security, and on and on and on. There just might be enough trade between the UK and Morocco to justify a weekly truck-only ferry. The economics of it to the shippers would be quite attractive if they no longer need to pay UK wages to a driver to schlep a truck down to Morocco - just drop the trailer at the UK port, and then a Moroccan driver picks it up at the Moroccan port. Michael |
You only have to look at the fresh fruit and veg on the supermarket shelves to realise how much comes from Morocco—strawberries and raspberries, mange tout and green beans, olives and oils. My Moroccan brother-in-law had never seen a mushroom in Morocco when he came to the UK 30 years ago, now he eats mushrooms grown in Morocco.
|
Yes we have a lot of Moroccan produce on the shelves in the UK,
But there isn't a lot of UK hauliers transporting it. Most of the HGV's crossing to Spain are Spanish, French or Moroccan registered. It will be interesting to see if it takes off or not. If it does it would be a 3 day journey at least, compared with the current 2 days of the Ferry - Drive - Ferry route |
Still no ferries from Spain.
Continuing tension with repoorts stating there will be no Spain-Morocco ferries this summer for Operation Marhaba.
This from Morocco World News: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/202...-spanish-ports And from El Pais (in Spanish): https://elpais.com/espana/2021-06-06...Q1nMpcHb7_5nRg Translation: Morocco frustrates Operation Crossing the Strait by allowing only ships from France and Italy Rabat, which will resume air connections from June 15, justifies the measure to avoid a rebound in the covid Operation Paso del Estrecho (OPE) will not run this year through Algeciras, where the largest flow of travelers is registered, nor through any of the other Spanish ports, such as Valencia, Alicante and Almería. As happened last summer, the Moroccan government has adopted preventive health measures and Morocco can only be reached by sea through the French port of Sète and Genoa, in Italy. However, the air connections, which were suspended since March, will be opened progressively from next Tuesday, June 15, according to the Moroccan Foreign Ministry this Sunday afternoon through a statement. The Foreign Ministry has made no mention of the borders with Ceuta and Melilla, which have remained closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic. Operation Crossing the Strait, known in Morocco as Marhaba, was conceived in 1987. It usually begins in mid-June and ends in September, although it requires several months of prior coordination between various countries. In its latest editions, the operation regulated the passage from Europe to Morocco of three million passengers each summer and almost 800,000 vehicles This year, Moroccans living abroad who embark in Sète or Genoa will have to undergo a PCR test prior to boarding and, once on board, they will undergo another test. Morocco has arranged two groups of countries to control the flow of travelers by plane. In a first list, called A, are those that have good indicators regarding the control of the pandemic. This is where Spain and the rest of the European Union are located for the moment. Travelers from these countries must present a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test. In list B are countries that do not have "accurate statistics" on the development of the pandemic or are experiencing a severe spread of the latest variants of the virus. Travelers coming from these countries must have an “exceptional authorization” before embarking on the trip, they will have to present a PCR test carried out 48 hours before boarding and once they land in Morocco they will have to keep a 10-day quarantine. Morocco took very drastic preventive measures from the beginning of the pandemic. But the evolution of the health crisis in this country of 36 million inhabitants has been very favorable in recent months and the Government has decided to relax the restrictions. Vaccinated people now number 9.1 million, of which 5.8 million have already received the second dose. Last year there was great expectation about whether Morocco would cancel this operation. The Foreign Minister, Naser Burita, only cleared up the doubt on June 22, when there was barely a week left to begin. On that occasion, he said: “Operation Marhaba is a concept that needs to be prepared for since April and that requires coordination with several countries. It is not a simple passage, but an animation with cultural activities and fun. It is obvious and natural that the Marhaba operation, as we know it, with its preparation and programming, will not take place ”. In Spain, the director of the Center for the Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES), Fernando Simón, described last year the decision taken by Morocco as "very prudent". The president of the Junta de Andalucía, the popular Juan Manuel Moreno Bonilla, also welcomed the “prudence” of Rabat. |
Ignoring the increasing diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco, one reason given for excluding Spain is to limit the number of arrivals so Morocco can manage the influx safely.
The Spanish ports and port workers unions aren't happy, stating huge revenue and job losses if traffic can't resume. A quick look at ferries from Sete yesterday showed most sailings in September are full already unless you travel without a vehicle. With the expected huge number of campervans etc looking to travel this autumn I doubt the France/Italy routes will be able to cater for the demand. Now the UK has left the EU more long term travellers are looking to Morocco to get round the 90 EU visa issues post Brexit |
Quote:
My guess - this is purely speculation on my part - is that sometime later this summer, perhaps mid-July or August, ferries from Spain will resume normal operations. I say this because I think there will be a pushback from both the Moroccan diaspora in Europe (who object to the higher prices and limited availability of ferries) and Moroccan families in country (who object to lost business, and inability to re-unite with family from abroad). Just a guess... but it will be politically difficult for the Moroccan government to keep the Spanish ferry restrictions in place if COVID remains under control in Morocco. Here in Canada, we're already seeing a lot of pushback against the border closure between Canada and the USA, with public opinion strongly in favour of allowing fully vaccinated travelers to cross the border without restrictions. I think public opinion in Morocco will be similar. Michael |
Quote:
(1) the failure of Spain to backup the USA acknowledgement of Morocco's claim to what was formerly Spanish Sahara, (2) the historic claims to Ceuta and Melilla, the borders of which with Morocco have been closed for more than a year, and (3) most importantly, the argument over Spain allowing the Polisario leader to be spirited into the country under false name to receive medical treatment despite claims of his war crimes. I can't see how this will play out other than a continued face-off. |
The lunacy is freight still continues between Spain and Morocco on the ferries and has done since the border closed in 2020. If the political issue was serious enough you'd think they'd shut the routes completely.
If the reports in the Spanish press that the maritime traffic is worth over a billion euros in business to the Spanish ports, then the Moroccan side has to be worth similar levels of revenue. Which ever way you look at it the limited number of GNV sailings from Sete and Genoa is not going to be enough to move the expected number of people and vehicles this summer. At the moment La Meridiniale haven't been authorised to run ferry services again, but I expect that will change soon. Even so space is going to be scarce and prices high. That will end up putting a lot of pressure on both sides to move things forward |
Foreign Office Update
You guys see the latest update from the UK Foreign Office?
"Updated: 13 June 2021 Latest update: From 15 June, direct flights between the UK and Morocco resume; you will need to provide proof that you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with the second dose administered at least two weeks prior to travel, or a negative PCR test result before boarding your flight or ferry to Morocco (Summary and Coronavirus)..." Shame it's so hot now https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad..._content=daily |
See the discussion above, Shugs.
No improvement with Gib Strait ferries, and even for fly-ins and rentals, for the UK you still have the Amber hoops to jump through when you come back. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-ambe...and#amber-list Plus, as you say, darn hot right now. Hopefully by the cool season access will ease. |
Additional ferries for the Sete, Marseilles and Genoa routes have been arranged until the 15th September along with orders from the King that ferry and flight prices are kept reasonable for MRE's.
Even with the extra sailings the capacity is a long way short of whats needed to meet demand if they expect similar numbers to 2019. Might put added pressure on the Spanish routes, but diplomatic tensions haven't eased. There are also discussions underway to open a new route from Portugal to Morocco. This would be better news for those who don't fancy 40 hrs on a GNV barge |
More info on the Portugal route
https://infoferrymaroc.blogspot.com/...e8aHzOxeNdsLHA Please note this site is not very reliable for information, at lot published is speculation and guesswork |
3 hour crossing time? I hope it's the old gas turbine NGV we used from Marseille to Corsica - 45 knots flat out! I'd pay €450 for that ride.:funmeteryes:
|
I'm a bit suspicious on that time, its about 300km I think. Still better than 40 hours from Sete
|
[moved ferry chat to Ferry Thread]
I think Portimao sounds like a promising solution. Looks about as far as Alicante - Oran which is an overnighter. That would suit me fine. |
Morocco and Portugal have agreed to a new ferry route. Just need a ferry company on board by all accounts. Return prices quoted as 450 euros
Its unclear if this price listed is a discounted price for Moroccans following the Kings announcement or the regular fare. |
A direct from Portugal solution would be perfect
|
Quote:
The problem - as potential ferry operators will see it - is this: The route does not make any sense. It's way longer than Gibraltar or Algeceras to Morocco, offers zero logistical benefits to passengers or truckers, and there is probably no port infrastructure in Portugal that is already present to handle passenger and ro-ro ferries. Setting this route up would require considerable capital investment on the part of the ferry operator to set up a port in Portugal (neither the Moroccans or the Portuguese have any reason to subsidize such a venture), and the route could be made redundant and useless overnight in the event of an improvement in relations between Morocco & Spain. After all, there is no practical reason to not continue operating the long-standing Algeceras to Morocco route - it's only constrained at the moment because of a diplomatic hissy fit. That could disappear overnight (let's hope it does). My guess is that a Portugal to Morocco ferry route will never see the light of day. Michael |
Pretty much like the proposed Portsmouth to Portugal ferry
|
Quote:
There's a whole load of ferries and ferry companies not operating the Spain - Morocco route as they normally do due to the restricted traffic between the 2. Most of these ferries are too small to do the longer routes. I would think any number of those ferries could be utilised even the Spanish owned ones (Balearia are running ferries from France to Morocco so it would appear Spanish companies aren't prohibited) Yes the 2 countries could grow up and reopen the Spanish routes, but its not far off 18months since a ferry ran carrying passengers between them. There's never been a ferry from Gibraltar to Morocco but that would seem the easiest way to capitalise on the gaps in service. Cruiser ships regularly visit Gib so the infrastructure must be there, although maybe not for vehicle loading. |
Maybe they could use that leftover Ecranoplan thing ... :rolleyes2: :rofl:
|
Gibraltar
In normal times, FRS run a service from Gibraltar for Moroccans working in Gib to return home for the weekend.
Friday evening Algeciras-Gib-Tanger Med Sunday evening TangerMed-Gib-Algeciras. The infrastructure is there to handle vehicles, albeit on a much smaller scale than Algeciras. It would not be unlikely for Spanish border staff to enforce a go-slow at the frontier. |
Didn't know about that ferry, thanks Pete. Makes you wonder why it doesn't run now with the short distance and demand.
Other news, the Morocccan government has chartered 2 ferries from Tallink to run from France to Morocco. These will run until mid September and be operated by Intershipping. Grimaldi have not been granted permission to operate at the moment. Portimao route rumoured to start early July, possibly AML and Intershipping Ferries but no confirmation yet |
Can you remind me who has kept Mk tourist ferries from operating to Spain in the first place?
Mk in response to Spain closing the enclave borders (or just having enclaves)? Or Sp for some other reasons? ta |
Its all rather murky when they first stopped the ferries, officially COVID at the time but descended into something else between March and July 2020. Recently its down to Spain's stance on the WS, smuggling Brahim Ghali in for "humanitarian" reasons and Morocco's letting people through the border illegally.
Simple terms both side are acting like 5 year olds in the playground and need to grow up. For a long time both sides allowed 1 ferry a week for tourists to get back to Europe, all stopped back in May. Certainly its hurting both parties economically |
I don't think Morocco is acting like a child. I would rather call it clever diplomacy
|
Anyone booked Sete for October yet?
Quote:
I know Chris S and others have suffered a number of cancelations but surely this is our #1 chance to get there as soon as possible? |
Having experienced the GNV ferry to Sete last year after lockdown, I'm in no hurry to book it again.
Hoping Portimao gets of the ground myself. I have a ferry booked for Spain early September and will see how things develop. |
https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/202...onia-s-tallink
https://ferryshippingnews.com/tallin...until-october/ anyone hear anything about how to buy tickets? |
go to GNV, La Meridionale, or Balearia's website and book online.
The Tallink ships are being operated by Intershipping so booking should be available on their website as well |
Thx. Believe Baleria is booking Moroccans only southbound, europeans allowed northbound.
|
Ceuta Land Border
Hello everyone
can anyone tell me if the CEUTA land border is open to tourists? |
NO, it closed in March 2020, Spain will review the situation at the end of July but its unlikely to change. Morocco will also need to decide to reopen the border
|
thank you very much
|
Portimao
Thought this may be of general interest:
https://elfarodeceuta.es/conexion-ma...ed-sigue-aire/ :rain: |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:18. |