Starting May 8, Baleària will launch a new high-speed maritime route between Tarifa and Tangier Ville, adding another link to its growing network between Spain and Morocco. The route will be served by the fast ferry Avemar Dos, which has already completed test runs at both ports and will offer a one-hour crossing. This marks Baleària’s fourth route connecting the two countries. Initially, there will be four daily round trips in each direction, with service expected to ramp up during the summer season—from early morning to late evening.
For Georges Bassoul, Baleària’s general manager, this new route represents a strategic milestone in strengthening the company’s footprint in Morocco. He emphasized Baleària’s commitment to quality and passenger comfort, backed by a fleet of recently refurbished vessels. Onboard amenities include a café-bar, a children’s play area, pet-friendly facilities, and an onboard shop. The company is also rolling out one- and two-day guided excursions in Tangier, offering visitors a curated taste of the city’s cultural and culinary heritage.
As part of its long-term vision, Baleària is also investing in green innovation. The company plans to introduce two fully electric, zero-emission catamarans by 2027. Built at the Astilleros Armon shipyard in Gijón, these vessels will be equipped with 16 MW of electric power and powered by 11,500 kWh batteries—enabling them to complete the 18-nautical-mile crossing with zero emissions. Each ferry will also carry four backup diesel generators for emergency use.
Recharging will take place dockside during one-hour layovers, using 8 MWh shore power systems installed at both ports. Robotic arms will ensure quick, automated connections to the local power grid, further streamlining operations.
Baleària has operated in Morocco since 2003, when it began service between Algeciras and Tangier. In 2017, it added a line between Nador and Almeria, followed by a daily route between Tangier Med and Motril in 2022. By 2024, the company had transported one million passengers on its Morocco routes—nearly 20% of its total passenger traffic. Freight activity has also seen steady growth, with a 7% increase last year pushing cargo volumes to over 2.2 million linear meters—equivalent to around 150,000 trucks.
