Spanish maritime company Balearia unveiled on Tuesday in Tangier an ambitious project to launch a new maritime link between Tangier and Tarifa, featuring two fully electric, zero-emission high-speed ferries expected to enter service in 2027. The launch ceremony was attended by Morocco's Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, Spanish Ambassador to Morocco Enrique Ojeda, the Presidents of the Port Authorities of Algeciras and Tangier City, the Spanish Secretary General for Air and Maritime Transport, and the President of the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima Regional Council. Part of a public-private partnership, the initiative aims to create a green maritime corridor between Europe and Africa, enabling carbon-free and entirely electric crossings of the Strait of Gibraltar. It includes the construction of two identical ships in Spain and the development of charging infrastructure at both Tangier and Tarifa ports. Speaking to MAP, Minister Kayouh highlighted that enhancing the maritime fleet is a key pillar of Morocco's strategy to promote sustainable mobility, particularly within the framework of the Marhaba operation, overseen by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity. He noted that this year, the ministry is mobilizing 29 ships capable of transporting 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles weekly, operating between four Moroccan ports and twelve European ports. Balearia CEO Georges Bassoul explained that each ferry will be equipped with four electric thrusters producing a total of 16 MW, powered by batteries with a capacity of 11,500 kWh. These will allow for entirely electric, emission-free crossings. Presenting the project's technical specifications, Bassoul stressed that the service will be fully decarbonized by 2027, well ahead of the EU's 2050 emissions targets. The electric propulsion will also eliminate noise and vibrations, improving passenger comfort and environmental impact. For emergency backup, each ferry will also have four diesel generators with a combined output of 11,200 kW. Battery recharging will take place during one-hour stopovers in each port. To support this, battery storage systems of 8 MWh will be installed at both ports, alongside onshore power supplies of 5 MW in Tarifa and 8 MW in Tangier. Each ferry will be 25 meters wide, capable of carrying 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, and reaching speeds of up to 26 knots.
