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Marrakech – The Port of Cadiz has successfully reestablished regular maritime links with Morocco after more than a decade, according to the news outlet Diario de Cádiz. This restoration, first announced on October 27, marks a significant development in cross-strait maritime relations after an 11-year absence.
The reconnection became reality when the port received its first visit from the container ship Panda 004 on October 27, operated by TAILWIND Shipping Lines, often referred to as “Lidl’s shipping company.”
This new service, known as Dolphin Express (DEX), connects key ports including Moerdijk (Netherlands), Antwerp (Belgium), Setúbal (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), and Casablanca, with the vessel capable of carrying up to 1,380 containers.
Bernardino Abad S.L. serves as the consignee agent for Tailwind Shipping Lines in Cadiz, representing Martico S.L. The consignee is recognized as one of the most active supporters of strengthening Cadiz port’s future, having previously fought to secure railway connections for the port.
Building on this momentum, during a conference titled “Cadiz, Green and Blue Port: Promoting Short-Distance Maritime Transport” held yesterday as part of the Maritime Blue Growth initiative, Teófila Martínez, President of the Port Authority of the Bay of Cadiz, further stressed the port’s dedication to developing these new maritime routes with Morocco and the Canary Islands.
The event, which took place at the Cadiz Convention Center, brought together important institutional representatives and industry stakeholders.
Bruno García, Mayor of Cadiz, praised the Port Authority’s efforts “to enhance short-distance maritime transport connecting places like the Canary Islands and Morocco.” He described this vision as positioning the port “as an Atlantic-Mediterranean connection, as a bridge for exchange and cooperation.”
Mercedes Colombo, Government Delegate of the Andalusian Government in Cadiz, underscored “the importance of combined efforts” between public administrations, the Port Authority of the Bay of Cadiz, and the Spanish Association for the Promotion of Short-Distance Maritime Transport (SPC Spain).
The conference featured four panel discussions covering topics including the recovery of Cadiz’s container traffic with Morocco, competitive advantages of passenger and roll-on/roll-off cargo services with the Canary Islands, port infrastructure investments, maritime transport decarbonization, environmental management, and synergies between ports, operators, and clients.
Through these discussions, the Port of the Bay of Cadiz clearly established its commitment to short-distance maritime transport as a sustainable and competitive alternative that helps reduce road congestion, lower carbon footprints, and strengthen intermodality.
This new service represents the recovery of freight traffic with Morocco, creating opportunities for additional exports and imports between Andalusia and North Africa, potentially leading to new logistics businesses, increased cargo volume, and route diversification.
However, travelers should note that maritime traffic between the Spanish port of Tarifa and Tangier was suspended today from 6:00 p.m. due to unfavorable weather conditions affecting the Strait of Gibraltar.
According to port authorities in the Bay of Algeciras, the first crossing scheduled for Friday has also been canceled.
The Spanish National Meteorological Agency (AEMET) forecasts rain and wind gusts reaching up to 70 km/h throughout the day in the province of Cadiz.
