Moroccan truck traffic overwhelms Algeciras Port, union calls for urgent action

The General Coordination of Port Authorities in Spain has issued a warning to the union representing port workers about the worsening situation at Algeciras Port, due to heavy truck traffic to and from Morocco.

The union described the conditions as “unbearable,” saying over 440 trucks pass through the port every hour, overwhelming its logistics capacity and impacting the safety and well-being of both workers and port police.

Despite using all available resources, port authorities have been unable to ease the pressure. The situation is getting worse, especially during peak periods, as staff face restrictions on time off, which has raised serious concerns among port police.

One major issue is the lack of proper truck parking areas, highlighted by the statement, mentioning that “alternatives offered are poorly equipped, with damaged grounds, no toilets, and no basic services—making conditions difficult for drivers.”

The coordination also highlighted chaos in managing ferry departures to Tangier Med, saying that with no real-time updates, drivers show up unsure if ferries are even running, causing heavy traffic inside the port.

The union criticized the lack of control over ferry schedules, noting that up to four ships can dock at once, creating extreme congestion as hundreds of trucks load and unload at the same time.

They’re urging the Spanish authorities to implement an urgent and comprehensive port management plan, involving all key players—shipping companies, customs agents, drivers, port police, and port authorities.

They also propose setting up an efficient, real-time information system and suggest requiring shipping companies to stick to schedules, with possible fines for cancellations without reason or for leaving cargo stranded.

Finally, the union pointed out that while the port celebrates record numbers—over 600,000 trucks annually—this growth is happening at the expense of drivers and security staff, who are left to deal with the consequences.

The solution, they say, isn’t more work hours—it’s a complete rethink of how the port is run, with safety and dignity as the top priority for those who keep it operating every day.