Its a ticket that has a set date and time for the ferry.

Rather than an open ticket which lets you get the next available ferry whenever you like.

I suspect they are doing this so they know in advance how many passengers will be on each ferry ahead of sailing.

As the ferries are about to start up again is there any potential problems with vehicle insurance being available at the ports, due to such a long shutdown? Is there a prearranged online alternative available?

Thanks for all the updates on this thread, been watching it for a while, was originally intending to go on solo bike trip in April 2020 and am looking to go next month if/while I can

The idea of picking up some green card insurance before arrival is appealing, I have to say. I’d be interested too

I’ve booked a ticket on the 18th the email still saying a pcr test is required though just in case anyone else is looking at booking

Thank you all for this valuable information and for keeping us up to date. I've been following this thread for several months now. Hoping to start my journey in May just after Ramadan. Is anyone else planning for the month of May and wants to come along?

I arrive at Tangier Med on 2nd May. Leave on 13th I think.

No definite plans. Want to take in plenty of piste and generally explore Anti Atlas.

I’ll just go wherever the flow takes me (this is not exactly out of character!)



Rachel

The Covid measures for ferry from Spain to Morocco from GNV Lines
and the link for the form to fill:
https://www.gnv.it/-/media/gnv/files/pdf/fsp-navire.pdf

Lines to/from Morocco

From 14 April, conncections to/from Genoa-Tangier, Sète-Nador/Tangier and Barcelona/Tangier-Nador reopened.

Requirements for routes to Morocco

• Medical forml (Fiche sanitaire) of the passenger, to be downloaded online before boarding (distributed also on board ships), duly completed;

And

• Vaccination passport anti covid-19 valid according to the requirements of the country of origin. Residents in Morocco (Moroccans and foreigners) must have a valid vaccination passport according to the national vaccination protocol (with the exception of minors up to 6 years of age);

OR

• Negative result of a PCR test less than 72 hours (time between sampling and recording). With the exception of minors up to 6 years of age.

Well, that’s another thing I don’t need to search around for - a pcr test!

Hi Phil:

I doubt very much if there will be any difficulty at all getting vehicle insurance when you get off the ferry at Tangier Med. There is a very efficient setup there with a small "shopping plaza" right inside the port where you can buy insurance from a number of different vendors (same product, same price from everyone).

I've entered Morocco several times at Tangier Med port and always found it to be a generally pleasant and hassle-free experience.

All the insurance vendors need to do to start up again is just tell their staff to show up at the terminal for work, blow the dust off the computer keyboard & printer, and start selling paper documents.

Note also that it is quite difficult to purchase Moroccan vehicle insurance outside of Morocco... so I don't think you have much of a choice in the matter.

in summary - buying insurance when you arrive is the last thing you need to worry about.

Michael

Thanks for the reply, now would you mind listing the other things I need worry about...

I'm about to book ferry from UK to Spain for middle of May, I'll book the ferry to Tangier Med when I'm there as may meet up with my son for a couple of days and go to World Superbikes at Estoril, so not sure exactly what day I'd travel, assume I'll be able to buy last minute?

No problem to buy a ticket at the port. Thats what I usually do, turn up and get a ticket for the next ferry

I think for many Europeans and some Brit motorhomers a Green Card extension for your domestic insurance can be bought for Morocco.
For Brit motorbikers and maybe all Brits, that door shut years ago (long before brexit). Unclear why.

Nite also if you forget to buy (or can't from some ports, usually the enclave land borders), the 'assurance frontiers' is very hard to buy from insurance agencies like Axa etc which are easily found in towns.

It's expensive too: 600dh for 10 days*or*955dh for a month for car or bike. Motorhomes pay more.
https://sahara-overland.com/2014/12/...cco-documents/

__________________
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

There are a few things that you might want to think about, although none of them are particularly worrisome:

1) Ferry ramps and ferry floors can be very slippery, especially if they are wet. If you are riding two-up you might want to get your passenger to dismount before you enter the ferry ramp.

2) The Morocco ferries are not known for providing high-quality tie-down straps for motos. You might want to buy a small ratchet-strap and pack it in an easy-to-get-to part of your kit.

3) Normally, motorcycles are expected to go to the head of the queue to board the Morocco ferries. This is not considered discourteous by the automobile drivers. You can take your cues from other motorcycles.

4) Avoid the touts who hang around the shopping plaza at Tangier Med when you go in to buy insurance. Even though you have never been there before, it won't be difficult for you to figure out which storefront to go to to purchase your insurance. Chances are you will be approached by touts after you stop in the parking lot before you even release the brake lever. They are not aggressive, but they can be persistent. A firm "No, merci" is usually sufficient.

5) Pay close attention to the speed limit within the Tangier Med port complex and within the first 20 km of riding once you leave the port complex. The Moroccan police are not predatory, but the port is huge (I think you ride about 4 miles from exiting the boat to exiting the port complex) and speed limits are (quite properly) enforced within the port. The highway police within 20 miles of the port are there to catch the scofflaws before they cause accidents in the built-up areas.

6) Chances are you will be a bit tired and fatigued after the ferry crossing, the embarkation and disembarkation process, customs, insurance buying, figuring out the road signs and how the locals drive, etc. So consider planning your first night stop no further than a 2 hour ride from the port.

7) Credit cards are widely accepted in Morocco at the more upscale facilities, but are not commonly accepted at small stores, restaurants other than high-end ones, and simple hotels. There are ATMs at the port in the same shopping plaza where you get the insurance. Take out a good hunk of Moroccan money from one of those ATMs before you leave the port. No point in getting Moroccan funds before reaching Morocco - you will get the very best exchange rate at an ATM, not at a moneychanger. Just use your home ATM card if it is Cirrus or Maestro or one of the other big networks.

Hope this helps you. Morocco is a delightful place to visit.

Michael

Ni Michael, thanks for that, all good advice. My biggest concern is my bike breaking down but it's looked after so can only hope all is well there and be prepared to fix the minor stuff.

Oh, heck, that's the LEAST of your worries!

There are zillions of motorcycle repair shops all over Morocco - motorcycles are a primary form of transportation in Morocco. Don't be at all concerned that the staff at any one of these shops have never seen your model of moto before - I needed a wheel bearing for my Honda ST 1100 a few years ago when I was in a small town in Morocco, something I thought would be impossible to get because big bikes like ST 1100s were never sold in Morocco.

The staff of the small moto shop put me on the passenger seat of a moped and we sped off into town to go searching... 40 minutes later, we had found the exact part I needed, and 4 hours later, it was installed and I was back on the road, with a fresh oil and filter change as a bonus.

I wrote a post about it on a PanEuropean forum that I belong to, give it a read and it will both eliminate all your worries and give you a good smile. Here's the link: ST 1100 Rear Wheel Bearing Surprise.

Michael