Maritime Routes Resume Between Spain, Morocco After Weather Delays

Doha – Maritime traffic between Morocco and Spain resumed cautiously on Friday after severe weather conditions forced cancellations and disruptions on Thursday.

The Port Authority of Tangier Med has authorized vessels to increase their scheduled trips to address the backlog caused by Thursday’s suspension.

According to Spanish media, high-speed ferries operated by Armas Trasmediterránea and Baleària, along with Baleària’s conventional ferry service, have resumed normal operations following the improvement in weather conditions.

However, maritime connections between Tarifa and Tangier City remain suspended due to ongoing adverse weather.

Thursday’s disruptions were triggered by wind speeds exceeding 70 kilometers per hour, coupled with treacherous wave conditions that rendered navigation hazardous in the Strait of Gibraltar.

By Friday, conditions improved markedly, with wind speeds dropping to an average of 22 kilometers per hour, while gusts ranged between 30 and 35 kilometers per hour, allowing for safer passage.

This marks the second weather-related disruption within a week. On Tuesday, passenger movement between Algeciras, Tarifa, and Tangier ports was affected by unfavorable weather conditions impacting the Gibraltar Strait.

Several morning departures from Algeciras to Tangier Med were impacted, while all maritime connections from Tarifa were canceled that day.

Port authorities have advised passengers to contact their respective shipping companies directly regarding potential delays or cancellations of scheduled trips.

Looking ahead, maritime traffic between Tangier Med and Spanish ports remains at the mercy of weather conditions, with forecasts suggesting another potential suspension next Tuesday due to anticipated strong winds and maritime disturbances in the region.

These disruptions come amid a period of intense atmospheric pressure shifts affecting the region since early March, bringing storms and powerful winds that have led to widespread flooding across several countries.

These weather patterns have helped alleviate the drought conditions that have dominated the region in recent years.