The President of the Andalusian government, Juan Manuel Moreno, announced on Wednesday in Spain plans to establish Europe’s first zero-emissions maritime green corridor between Tarifa, Spain, and Tangier, during the FITUR 2025 International Tourism Fair, according to Spanish media.
The project aims to connect the two cities via a ferry route powered by two state-of-the-art, 100% electric fast ferries, alongside the electrification of both ports.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Moreno stated, “thanks to the advanced technology and significant investment from Baleària and the involved ports, this green corridor will set a benchmark for sustainability in tourism and transportation.”
Moreno revealed that the two ferries will be named España 2030 and Marruecos 2030, symbolizing the Agenda 2030 goals and the FIFA World Cup that Spain and Morocco will co-host that year.
“This reinforces the historical connection and collaboration between the two sides of the Strait,” said the President of the Andalusian government, emphasizing the symbolic significance of the names.
The Spanish media mentioned that “the ferry operator Baleària is planned to spearhead the project with a total investment of €160 million over the next 15 years.”
Of this amount, according to the same source, €135 million will be allocated to the construction of electric ferries, port electrification, and battery charging systems.
It explained that “each ferry will have the capacity to carry 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, with operations expected to begin in 2027—approximately two and a half years after the official concession.”
The Spanish media unveiled that “Baleària will take control of Berth 3 at the Port of Tarifa, replacing the previous operator FRS-DFDS. This transition marks the start of a more sustainable approach to managing the route, aligning with the corridor’s objectives.”
For context, this route, which serves as a vital link between Andalusia and northern Morocco, is seen as an economic and political asset. It is especially crucial for the Marhaba operation, a seasonal influx of Moroccans from abroad, and for hundreds of thousands of passengers traveling annually, particularly during the summer and religious holidays.
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