During the Marhaba 2024 or Strait Crossing Operation, a remarkable total of 2.8 million passengers, including 2 million Moroccans residing abroad (MRE), along with 662,000 vehicles, traveled through Moroccan ports from June 5 to September 5. This marks a 5.5% increase in overall passenger numbers, a 17% rise in MREs, and a 9.5% uptick in vehicle traffic compared to the same period in 2023.
To enhance the maritime aspect of this operation, the Moroccan Ministry of Transport and Logistics mobilized 29 ships to facilitate 535 weekly voyages, with a transportation capacity that ranges from 500,000 to 130,000 vehicles each week. Before the operation commenced, all vessels underwent rigorous technical inspections to ensure they met international safety standards, and regular checks were in place to maintain the quality of onboard services.
In terms of port traffic distribution, Tangier Med dominated with 1.62 million passengers and 427,000 vehicles, representing 57% of total traffic. Other ports like Tangier Ville accounted for 23%, Nador for 19%, and Al-Hoceima for 1%. Notably, peak traffic was observed on August 3 and 4, with approximately 80,000 passengers and 20,000 cars recorded.
The final ten days of August saw intense movement, with about 460,000 passengers and 103,000 cars traveling from Morocco to Europe. The introduction of pre-booked tickets for specific dates and times significantly contributed to managing the flow of travelers, especially on busy routes between Tangier Med and Algeciras, as well as Tangier Ville and Tarifa.
