Operation Marhaba 2023 breaks records

Since it began on 15 June until this past Monday, Operation Marhaba 2023 - also known as Operation Crossing the Strait - has exceeded 700,000 passengers and 176,000 vehicles, which represents an increase of 3.8% and 3.3%, respectively, over the figures for 2022, according to Civil Protection data collected by EFE.

Specifically, since the start of the OPE, 732,624 people and 175,977 vehicles have left the seven Spanish ports included in the Operation in the direction of Morocco. In spite of the initial data being lower than last year, a notable increase in the number of passengers and cars has been observed after last weekend, when, from the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa alone, 13,445 vehicles and 63,000 people embarked, according to data from EuropaSur. The French bank holidays on 14 July was key to this increase, as many Moroccans living in France started their holidays on that day.

During this year, the number of ship rotations has also increased, amounting to 2,690, 18.3% more than the figures for 2022. The data related to the return phase have also increased. Since 15 July, 30,483 passengers and 8,339 vehicles have returned, 19% and 24%, respectively, more than in the previous year.

Operation Marhaba, organised since 1986, will run until 15 September. The aim of the OPE is to facilitate the travel of Moroccans living in European countries such as France, Spain and Italy to the Kingdom for the summer holidays. In addition to the port authorities of European and Moroccan countries, the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity plays a key role in the organisation of Operation Marhaba. This association has activated a comprehensive global reception system in Morocco, France, Italy and Spain.

A total of 24 assistance and aid sites have been set up to meet the needs of Moroccans during their journey to the Kingdom and during their return to their countries of residence, according to Morocco World News.

Morocco is committed to this important event for its nationals, which is why, during the Operation, 18 reception centres are mobilised in key ports such as Tangier Med, Tangier Ville, Al Hoceima and Nador. These centres are also present in airports such as Casablanca Mohammed V, Rabat Sale airport, Oujda Angad, Nador and Agadir Al Massira airports. Other airports, such as Fez Saiss, Marrakech Menara and Tangier Ibn Battouta, also have reception centres to provide help or assistance.