Africa Morocco Link (AML) has confirmed it will resume its seasonal Almería–Nador ferry service as Morocco and Spain prepare for Operation Marhaba 2026. The move aims to ease pressure on the busy Strait of Gibraltar crossings during the summer travel peak.
The service will run from 10 June to 15 September. AML, now a joint venture between Morocco’s CTM and Sweden’s Stena Line, will deploy a high-capacity ferry carrying up to 1,500 passengers and 400 vehicles. The company says the route will act as a relief option during a summer expected to face major logistical challenges.
New border system expected to slow crossings
Authorities are monitoring two developments likely to disrupt traditional routes between Algeciras and Tangier.
The EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational on 10 April 2026. The system requires non-EU travellers to provide biometric data including facial scans and fingerprints at the border. Officials expect the new checks to increase processing time per vehicle and raise the risk of long queues at major Strait ports.
A total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 is also expected to draw millions of tourists to Spain’s Mediterranean coast. The event coincides with the peak “return phase” of the Marhaba operation, when many Moroccan expatriates travel back to Europe.
Almería positions itself as an alternative
Around 70% of the Port of Almería’s annual traffic is linked to Morocco. The port authority has expanded shaded waiting areas to more than 7,500 square metres and installed nine tents to protect travellers from heat during peak days.
The Almería–Nador crossing takes about seven hours, longer than the Algeciras route. However, travellers heading to Morocco’s Rif and Oriental regions avoid long queues in the Bay of Algeciras and cut hundreds of kilometres of driving inside Morocco.
Integrated transport strategy
The CTM–Stena Line partnership signals a broader approach to passenger mobility. The plan combines CTM’s domestic bus network with Stena Line’s maritime operations to create a multimodal travel offer.
Nearly 3.6 million travellers are expected during Marhaba 2026. Authorities hope strengthening the Almería corridor will help manage summer traffic and reduce congestion on traditional crossings.
