Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohamed Abdeljalil, announced on Monday that Moroccan ports have received approximately 538,000 passengers by July 15 as part of the «Marhaba 2024» operation, marking a 4% increase compared to the same period last year. Abdeljalil, presenting the «Marhaba 2024 provisional figures» at the House of Councillors, emphasized that the Ministry, through all its components, will continue the general mobilization to ensure that the arrival and transit of members of the Moroccan community occur smoothly. This will be achieved by enhancing coordination, information exchange, and anticipating challenges during peak periods through the involvement of all concerned stakeholders. As in previous years, Morocco is expected to experience a large influx of Moroccan diaspora members visiting their homeland this year. The Minister highlighted that the Ministry and the institutions under its supervision have intensified their efforts to ensure an adequate supply to meet the demand for international sea, air, and road transport lines. They are also supporting the transport companies involved in the Marhaba operation by granting the necessary licenses. Regarding maritime transport, Abdeljalil stated that the Ministry has mobilized a total of 29 ships, providing 535 weekly trips on all maritime lines linking Moroccan ports with those in Spain, France, and Italy. This offers a total weekly capacity estimated at 487,000 passengers and 130,000 cars. In terms of air transport, 52 airlines have been authorized to organize an average of 2,060 scheduled flights per week linking Morocco to 135 international airports in 52 countries, representing a 15% increase compared to the 2023 summer period, explained the Minister. For international road passenger transport by bus, Abdeljalil mentioned that sufficient transport services have been put in place, comprising 75 international transport companies. This includes 35 Moroccan companies operating 69 international passenger transport lines, linking France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands to Morocco, providing around 288 weekly trips with a capacity of 14,400 seats. The Minister also noted that the National Railways Office (ONCF) has enhanced services, scheduling 48 trains a day to link Tangier with various cities across the Kingdom, as well as 38 trains to connect Mohammed V Airport, with a frequency of one train per hour throughout the day.
