The maritime line linking the Port of Motril with the Port of Tangier-Med is consolidated after a year of operation

The Port of Motril closed the third quarter with a growth in goods traffic of 15.5% compared to the same period of the previous year, now approaching two million tonnes.  The greatest growth has been in general cargo, mainly that linked to Ro-Ro traffic on the Tangier-Med line, operated by Balearia.   

Thus, of the 13,946 lorries or UTIs (acronym for Intermodal Transport Units) unloaded and loaded at the Port of Motril in the first nine months, 12,681 have been on board the ferries which operate the maritime route with Tangier-Med.  Chemical products, textiles, construction materials and tools, automobiles and their parts or fruit and vegetables, are an example of the type of goods transported.  

The good operation of the line, which will soon celebrate its first year of operation, can also be seen in the number of ships that have called at the Port of Motril from January to September.  Of the 788 ships of all types, 487 have been Ro-Ro mixed and goods.  They are followed in order of importance by general cargo, liquid bulk carriers and Ro-Ro passenger ships.  

"These data confirm the upward trend of the Port of Motril and, particularly, of the daily line with Tangier-Med, thanks to the commercial work of the shipping company Balearia and the port itself and the confidence of the shippers", emphasised the president of the Port Authority, José García Fuentes.  

With the intention of consolidating and even improving these figures, the manager of the Border Control Point has requested the extension of the current facilities in order to adapt to the needs derived from the incorporation of new inspectors, specifically from Foreign Health, Plant Health and a veterinarian. The investment amounts to 150,000 euros. 

In addition, the Port of Motril has recently obtained a head of Foreign Health, until now dependent on Malaga, which joins that of Plant Health which already existed. "Both offices have their respective associated inspectors, consolidating the staff of the PIF of the Port of Motril".  

"The incorporation of the new services associated with the maritime lines with third countries means that the Port of Motril is going to grow in a progressive and orderly manner, guaranteeing the speed and efficiency of the goods seven days a week and maintaining the high quality standards that we already offer", García Fuentes concluded.   

The Port of Motril maintains maritime connections with Tangier-Med (seven days a week), Melilla, Nador and Al Hoceima.