The Port Authority of Melilla inaugurated new high-tech border facility for sanitary control of goods on Wednesday, expected to become operational next week following approval by the Government Delegation's Agriculture Department. The facility is meant to strengthen health controls on goods arriving from both mainland Spain and Morocco, following the reopening of Melilla's commercial customs office in February 2025. Located in the Tinglado No. 5 building, the 196m² inspection point features airtight doors, continuous automatic ventilation, a cargo lift, clear exterior signage, and full accessibility for people with reduced mobility. It is fully decontaminated, hermetically sealed, and designed to meet current health and safety standards, with separate access routes for veterinarians and general staff, El Faro de Melilla reported. Built with a €437,000 investment, the new Border Inspection Point is now available to local businesses, primarily for goods arriving by sea. It will also be accessible to «health authorities and all importers who need it», said Port Authority president Manuel Ángel Quevedo at a press conference. Quevedo also said the facility could be used for fish and animal product inspections—if requested by the Government Delegation. Goods arriving overland via the Beni Enzar border could be sealed or escorted to the port for inspection, and the warehouse could be adapted with cold storage for perishable items, he added.
