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  #181  
Old 24 Jun 2021
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Morocco and Portugal have agreed to a new ferry route. Just need a ferry company on board by all accounts. Return prices quoted as 450 euros

Its unclear if this price listed is a discounted price for Moroccans following the Kings announcement or the regular fare.
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  #182  
Old 25 Jun 2021
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A direct from Portugal solution would be perfect
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  #183  
Old 26 Jun 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWarden View Post
Morocco and Portugal have agreed to a new ferry route. Just need a ferry company on board by all accounts.
Getting a ferry company onboard will probably be the big problem... I doubt that there will be a lineup of companies seeking to operate this route.

The problem - as potential ferry operators will see it - is this: The route does not make any sense. It's way longer than Gibraltar or Algeceras to Morocco, offers zero logistical benefits to passengers or truckers, and there is probably no port infrastructure in Portugal that is already present to handle passenger and ro-ro ferries.

Setting this route up would require considerable capital investment on the part of the ferry operator to set up a port in Portugal (neither the Moroccans or the Portuguese have any reason to subsidize such a venture), and the route could be made redundant and useless overnight in the event of an improvement in relations between Morocco & Spain. After all, there is no practical reason to not continue operating the long-standing Algeceras to Morocco route - it's only constrained at the moment because of a diplomatic hissy fit. That could disappear overnight (let's hope it does).

My guess is that a Portugal to Morocco ferry route will never see the light of day.

Michael
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  #184  
Old 26 Jun 2021
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Pretty much like the proposed Portsmouth to Portugal ferry
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  #185  
Old 26 Jun 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean View Post
Getting a ferry company onboard will probably be the big problem... I doubt that there will be a lineup of companies seeking to operate this route.

The problem - as potential ferry operators will see it - is this: The route does not make any sense. It's way longer than Gibraltar or Algeceras to Morocco, offers zero logistical benefits to passengers or truckers, and there is probably no port infrastructure in Portugal that is already present to handle passenger and ro-ro ferries.

Setting this route up would require considerable capital investment on the part of the ferry operator to set up a port in Portugal (neither the Moroccans or the Portuguese have any reason to subsidize such a venture), and the route could be made redundant and useless overnight in the event of an improvement in relations between Morocco & Spain. After all, there is no practical reason to not continue operating the long-standing Algeceras to Morocco route - it's only constrained at the moment because of a diplomatic hissy fit. That could disappear overnight (let's hope it does).

My guess is that a Portugal to Morocco ferry route will never see the light of day.

Michael
The Moroccan government is subsidising all ferry and air tickets for Moroccans this summer as part of operation Marhaba.

There's a whole load of ferries and ferry companies not operating the Spain - Morocco route as they normally do due to the restricted traffic between the 2. Most of these ferries are too small to do the longer routes. I would think any number of those ferries could be utilised even the Spanish owned ones (Balearia are running ferries from France to Morocco so it would appear Spanish companies aren't prohibited)

Yes the 2 countries could grow up and reopen the Spanish routes, but its not far off 18months since a ferry ran carrying passengers between them.

There's never been a ferry from Gibraltar to Morocco but that would seem the easiest way to capitalise on the gaps in service. Cruiser ships regularly visit Gib so the infrastructure must be there, although maybe not for vehicle loading.
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  #186  
Old 26 Jun 2021
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Maybe they could use that leftover Ecranoplan thing ...
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  #187  
Old 26 Jun 2021
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Gibraltar
In normal times, FRS run a service from Gibraltar for Moroccans working in Gib to return home for the weekend.
Friday evening Algeciras-Gib-Tanger Med
Sunday evening TangerMed-Gib-Algeciras.

The infrastructure is there to handle vehicles, albeit on a much smaller scale than Algeciras. It would not be unlikely for Spanish border staff to enforce a go-slow at the frontier.
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Last edited by Peter Girling; 26 Jun 2021 at 18:33.
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  #188  
Old 29 Jun 2021
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Didn't know about that ferry, thanks Pete. Makes you wonder why it doesn't run now with the short distance and demand.

Other news, the Morocccan government has chartered 2 ferries from Tallink to run from France to Morocco. These will run until mid September and be operated by Intershipping.

Grimaldi have not been granted permission to operate at the moment.

Portimao route rumoured to start early July, possibly AML and Intershipping Ferries but no confirmation yet
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  #189  
Old 29 Jun 2021
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Can you remind me who has kept Mk tourist ferries from operating to Spain in the first place?
Mk in response to Spain closing the enclave borders (or just having enclaves)?
Or Sp for some other reasons? ta
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  #190  
Old 29 Jun 2021
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Its all rather murky when they first stopped the ferries, officially COVID at the time but descended into something else between March and July 2020. Recently its down to Spain's stance on the WS, smuggling Brahim Ghali in for "humanitarian" reasons and Morocco's letting people through the border illegally.

Simple terms both side are acting like 5 year olds in the playground and need to grow up.

For a long time both sides allowed 1 ferry a week for tourists to get back to Europe, all stopped back in May.

Certainly its hurting both parties economically
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  #191  
Old 29 Jun 2021
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I don't think Morocco is acting like a child. I would rather call it clever diplomacy
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  #192  
Old 30 Jun 2021
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Anyone booked Sete for October yet?
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Originally Posted by TheWarden View Post
Ignoring the increasing diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco, one reason given for excluding Spain is to limit the number of arrivals so Morocco can manage the influx safely.

The Spanish ports and port workers unions aren't happy, stating huge revenue and job losses if traffic can't resume.

A quick look at ferries from Sete yesterday showed most sailings in September are full already unless you travel without a vehicle. With the expected huge number of campervans etc looking to travel this autumn I doubt the France/Italy routes will be able to cater for the demand.

Now the UK has left the EU more long term travellers are looking to Morocco to get round the 90 EU visa issues post Brexit
Has anyone bit the bullet and booked Sete for October yet?

I know Chris S and others have suffered a number of cancelations but surely this is our #1 chance to get there as soon as possible?
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  #193  
Old 30 Jun 2021
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Having experienced the GNV ferry to Sete last year after lockdown, I'm in no hurry to book it again.

Hoping Portimao gets of the ground myself. I have a ferry booked for Spain early September and will see how things develop.
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  #194  
Old 3 Jul 2021
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https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/202...onia-s-tallink

https://ferryshippingnews.com/tallin...until-october/

anyone hear anything about how to buy tickets?
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  #195  
Old 3 Jul 2021
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go to GNV, La Meridionale, or Balearia's website and book online.

The Tallink ships are being operated by Intershipping so booking should be available on their website as well
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