Morocco’s Ferry License Renewal Process
The Moroccan government is currently preparing to launch a competition aimed at renewing its ferry licenses for routes in the Strait of Gibraltar, specifically those connecting Algeciras and Tarifa with the ports of Tangier. This initiative reflects Morocco's strategic partnership with Spain, as both countries share the concession of licenses for international ferry routes. Efforts are underway to award new licenses for the Algeciras-Tangier Med and Tarifa-Tangier City lines, which are crucial for enhancing maritime connectivity in the region.
According to sources in the port sector, the license for the Algeciras-Tangier Med route will fill the gap left by Intershipping following its bankruptcy. Since then, Africa Morocco Link (AML) has been the sole operator on this maritime route, marking its significance in the North African ferry landscape. Recent reports from AXSMarine indicate that the process has entered its second phase, with three shipping companies reportedly in contention for the new license, among which La Méridionale, a ferry operator within the CMA CGM group, has emerged as a potential candidate. This company operates multiple services in France, including a route between Marseille and Tangier Med. Alongside AML, the Algeciras-Tangier Med route is also serviced by Baleària, Armas Trasmediterránea, and DFDS, with the Danish group awaiting approval from the National Commission for Markets and Competition regarding its acquisition of part of Armas' business, which would allow it to take control of operations.
Future Prospects and International Interest
Regarding the Tarifa-Tangier City route, Morocco is putting up the second docking license for competition, following Baleària's commencement of operations at the third docking point last year. The license currently held by Africa Morocco Link, which replaced Intershipping in 2024, is expected to attract significant interest from major international shipping companies due to the importance of this route at a strategic point like the Strait of Gibraltar. As the world approaches the 2030 World Cup, the relevance of this route is anticipated to increase considerably.
DFDS, which acquired the Spanish FRS Iberia Maroc at the beginning of 2024, is viewed as a likely contender for this opportunity. Previously, this company operated the corresponding docking point for Spain until Baleària won the tender last year. Should DFDS decide to bid, it is likely they will partner with a local entity, as the operator of this docking point must have a majority of Moroccan capital. In terms of technical conditions, Spanish port sources indicate that the specific criteria the Moroccan government will apply during the selection process remain unclear. Nevertheless, it is known that the winning shipping company will utilize the shore power connections at the Tarifa dock to reduce emissions during stopovers, particularly as Baleària plans to deploy electric vessels upon completion of their construction.
International routes necessitate cooperative agreements, and as part of the amicable relations between Spain and Morocco, both nations signed a maritime transport agreement in 1979 aimed at regulating and facilitating mutual cooperation. This agreement stipulates that each party is entitled to conduct at least 40% of passenger and cargo transports, ensuring a relatively equitable traffic distribution among shipping companies from both nations. As Spain is a member of the European Union, any EU-based shipping company can participate in the bidding process. Thus, both Spain and Morocco autonomously regulate their licenses and determine the related details, although there is a fluid communication between both parties. In Tarifa, licenses are awarded through public competitions, while in Algeciras, where there is sufficient supply and space, companies submit their applications directly. Morocco initiates its process with a declaration of interest, from which several contenders are selected and guided through the process until a final winner is determined.
As reported by europasur.es.
