Africa Morocco Link (AML) is looking at starting a new ferry service between Nador in Morocco and Almería in Spain in summer 2026, sources say.
This route is one of the busiest during Operation Marhaba, when hundreds of thousands of Moroccans travel between Europe and Morocco each summer. For many families from the Oriental and Rif areas, arriving in Nador means they are already close to home and can avoid long drives across the country.
AML plans to use a large ship that can carry up to 1,500 passengers and about 400 cars. The idea is to handle the heavy summer rush, when most travellers are families driving long distances with packed vehicles.
The new route would add to AML’s current services between Morocco and Spain. In 2025, the company carried 1.2 million passengers and 250,000 vehicles. It operated seven ships and ran more than 40 crossings a day at the busiest time of the season.
AML is a joint venture between Moroccan transport firm CTM and Swedish shipping group Stena Line.
CTM acquired the 51% majority stake previously held by Bank of Africa, while Stena Line bought the remaining 49% from the Greek group Attica Group. The partnership brings together CTM’s experience in Moroccan land transport and Stena Line’s international maritime operations.
The planned launch also comes as the Nador West Med port complex begins to open in stages from late 2026. The project is designed to strengthen the region’s role as a logistics hub and ease pressure on existing port infrastructure.
Industry observers say that if the route goes ahead, increased competition could help stabilise ticket prices during peak weeks in July and August, when demand is usually at its highest.
AML has not yet confirmed an official launch date for the service.
