Port of Algeciras Gives Priority to Moroccans Abroad: Temporary Truck Suspension to Speed Up Travel to Morocco

Up to 900 Cars Per Hour

The Spanish port recorded peaks of around 900 vehicles per hour.

Thousands of cars entered the port area within a short period, while queues extended onto some of the main access roads.

Additional waiting areas were opened, and port teams reinforced traffic management in an effort to prevent complete congestion.

Priority for Families and Passenger Vehicles

Under the temporary arrangement, priority was given to private vehicles carrying families and travellers bound for Tanger Med and Ceuta.

A single truck occupies the space of several passenger cars on a ferry. Temporarily holding freight vehicles therefore allowed operators to transport more cars on each crossing and reduce waiting times for Moroccans abroad.

The measure remains exceptional and is directly linked to the level of congestion at the port.

Flexible Tickets to Accelerate Departures

Another important step was the temporary introduction of ticket interchangeability.

Travellers were allowed to board the first available ferry to Tanger Med or Ceuta, even when the operator was different from the company shown on the original ticket.

This flexibility was designed to speed up departures, reduce overcrowding and prevent families from spending long hours in waiting areas.

An additional fast vessel was also deployed on the Algeciras–Tanger Med route to increase transport capacity.

The Situation in Melilla Increased Pressure on Algeciras

Congestion at Algeciras was also intensified by the temporary closure of the Beni Ansar crossing in Melilla.

Some travellers changed their routes and headed toward other Spanish ports, increasing pressure on services to Morocco.

The gradual reopening of the border later helped ease the situation, but the rerouting of passengers continued to affect traffic for several hours.

Important Advice: Do Not Travel Without a Confirmed Booking

A significant number of vehicles reportedly arrived at the port without a confirmed ticket or reservation.

This complicated queue management and slowed down boarding operations during an already difficult period.

MM News therefore advises Moroccans abroad to:

• confirm their booking before travelling to the port;
• check sailing times and operator updates;
• allow additional travel time;
• follow instructions from port staff;
• rely on official information rather than unverified social media posts.

An Exceptional Measure to Support Moroccans Abroad

The temporary suspension of truck boarding reflects the scale of the mobilisation required to facilitate the passage of Moroccans abroad.

Although the decision temporarily affected freight transport between Spain and Morocco, it responded to an immediate priority: reducing congestion, accelerating the movement of families and improving travel conditions during an exceptionally busy period.

The message for Moroccans abroad is simple: plan ahead, travel with a confirmed booking and monitor official updates. Good preparation can save several hours of waiting at the port.