From 2027, eco-friendly electric ships will operate on the Tangier-Tarifa route.
During a ceremony held in Tangier, the Spanish shipping company “Baleària” announced the launch of an innovative environmental project aimed at establishing a maritime line connecting Tangier port to Tarifa port with two emission-free electric vessels starting in 2027. The project intends to create a green maritime corridor between the two shores of the Mediterranean, utilizing ferries that operate entirely on electric power.
The project presentation featured several prominent figures, including the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdel Samad Qaiouh, the Spanish ambassador to Morocco, and officials from port authorities and maritime institutions in both countries. This initiative is the result of a partnership between the public and private sectors, with the goal of making maritime transport between Europe and Africa more sustainable and eco-friendly.
In a statement to the Moroccan News Agency, Minister Abdel Samad Qaiouh confirmed that the project is part of a national strategy aimed at enhancing sustainable maritime transport and improving travel conditions for Moroccans abroad, particularly during the “Marhaba” operation. He noted that the ministry has mobilized 29 ships with a weekly capacity of 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles to meet the growing demand across Moroccan and European ports.
George Borrel, the general director of “Baleària,” explained that each ship will be equipped with 16-megawatt electric engines and batteries with a capacity of 11,500 kilowatt-hours, enabling them to travel the distance between Tangier and Tarifa with no carbon emissions. He added that the total charging of the batteries will occur during a one-hour stop at the port, using automated and innovative charging systems.
Borrel highlighted that the land-based charging infrastructure in Tarifa and Tangier will be enhanced by storage systems capable of holding up to 8 megawatt-hours per port, supported by a stable electricity supply. Two robotic arms will charge the ships in just 40 minutes to ensure they are ready for each maritime journey.
The two vessels will have a width of 25 meters and a capacity of 804 passengers and 225 vehicles, with a maximum speed of 26 knots. They will provide the highest levels of comfort thanks to stability systems and noise and vibration reduction technologies, featuring spacious interiors equipped with all necessary amenities, alongside high maneuverability and quick turnaround times at port.
