A New Era for the Gibraltar Tunnel Project
An ambitious infrastructure initiative aiming to connect Africa and Europe is gaining renewed attention, as reported by focus.de. The proposed underwater railway tunnel, designed to link Morocco and Spain, is once again at the forefront of discussions. Both nations are actively advancing plans for this critical project beneath the Strait of Gibraltar, which seeks to establish a strategic alternative to other vital trade routes currently under strain, particularly the blocked Strait of Hormuz, which has precipitated an international energy crisis and heightened the urgency for alternative supply chains.
The estimated cost of this monumental undertaking ranges between €15 billion and €20 billion, with approximately €8.5 billion allocated for the Spanish side of the project. Construction is slated to commence post-2035, contingent upon securing adequate funding. The current blueprint envisions two railway tubes capable of transporting both passengers and freight, with transit times expected to be around 30 minutes. Experts predict that the tunnel could transform North Africa into a logistics hub, drastically reducing transport times and enhancing Africa's role in global supply chains.
Challenges and Feasibility Studies
However, the endeavor is fraught with challenges, particularly concerning the underwater construction conditions in the Strait of Gibraltar, where depths can reach up to 900 meters and shipping traffic is dense. Plans for a bridge spanning the strait were abandoned in the 1990s due to similar concerns, leading current efforts to focus exclusively on the railway tunnel, which is planned to be situated approximately 475 meters underwater. Obstacles such as unstable rock and clay formations, along with seismic risks, present potential disruptions to the construction process.
In 2025, the German company Herrenknecht was commissioned to conduct a feasibility study for the tunnel. The findings suggest that the tunnel could be operational between 2035 and 2040, though it would not be completed in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The study indicated that the tunnel would rank among the most ambitious engineering projects globally. The concept of a tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar has been revisited intermittently since 1979, with various studies assessing its feasibility over the years. Several financial institutions, including the World Bank and the European Investment Bank, have previously expressed interest in supporting the project, highlighting its significant international implications.
