Countdown to the start of Operation Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar
As they do every year, thousands of Moroccans living in Spain and other countries are preparing to return to the Kingdom for the summer holidays. Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE) or Operation Marhaba is traditionally organised in mid-June, ending on 5 September each year.
However, due to the religious holiday Eid al-Adha, the authorities have decided to bring the operation forward by two days, so this year it is scheduled to begin on 13 June and end on 15 September.
Preparations are already underway, with 19 different associations working to organise it. As Le360 points out, a maritime fleet of 32 vessels from 7 maritime operators operating on 11 different shipping lines is expected to be deployed, offering a total capacity of more than 7 million passengers and 2 million vehicles.
Moroccan port infrastructures have also undergone major improvements to ensure the fluidity of the operation, including in Tangier Med, Tangier-Ville, Nador and Al Hoceima. These improvements are related to passenger comfort, such as the installation of waiting areas, shaded areas or display and signalling systems.
In Al Hoceima, in particular, a series of practical and logistical measures have been taken to guarantee an optimal reception of travellers and ensure the success of the transit operation. In this respect, the port director, Adil El Bardi, underlined the efforts made to comply with the action plan developed by the Mohamed V Foundation for Solidarity, as well as by all those involved in Operation Mahraba.
Speaking to MAP, El Bardi stressed that improvements have been made to the reception and waiting areas, as well as to the services offered inside and outside the port, in addition to reinforcing security and signage in all areas of the station. The measures taken also include the reinforcement of the royal gendarmerie's surveillance resources to ensure the safety of maritime navigation.
In terms of passenger numbers, Morocco is preparing to welcome 3.3 million passengers, an increase of 4% over the previous year. A 6% increase in the number of vehicles is also expected, i.e. more than 800,000, compared to 642,000 in 2023, according to Moroccan media.
On the other hand, from 13 June - the day the operation begins - the boarding areas will occupy 146,000 square metres at various departure points and will offer more than 4,500 places for private vehicles. There will also be 53,000 square metres of covered areas, in addition to 328,000 parking spaces.
Cooperation between Spain and Morocco in view of the OPE
Rabat and Madrid have reinforced bilateral coordination to guarantee the success of the operation and to offer all possible facilities to travellers. Both countries have worked to improve services in the ports and provide additional logistical support, but also for the availability of emergency and rescue teams for rapid intervention if necessary.
In Spain alone, 19 organisations, 9 ports and nearly 27,000 people are participating in the operation, including state security forces and bodies, health personnel, Red Cross volunteers, social workers and translators.
On the other hand, this summer, on the occasion of the OPE, the Almeria-Nador line will be inaugurated in June, as announced by the MSC Group in a press release a few months ago.