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Photo by Lois Pryce, fueling up in Tunisia

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
fueling up in Tunisia



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  #1  
Old 8 Jun 2021
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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
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  #2  
Old 9 Jun 2021
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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.
That's a very reasonable thought.

My guess - this is purely speculation on my part - is that sometime later this summer, perhaps mid-July or August, ferries from Spain will resume normal operations. I say this because I think there will be a pushback from both the Moroccan diaspora in Europe (who object to the higher prices and limited availability of ferries) and Moroccan families in country (who object to lost business, and inability to re-unite with family from abroad).

Just a guess... but it will be politically difficult for the Moroccan government to keep the Spanish ferry restrictions in place if COVID remains under control in Morocco.

Here in Canada, we're already seeing a lot of pushback against the border closure between Canada and the USA, with public opinion strongly in favour of allowing fully vaccinated travelers to cross the border without restrictions. I think public opinion in Morocco will be similar.

Michael
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Old 9 Jun 2021
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Originally Posted by PanEuropean View Post
... sometime later this summer, perhaps mid-July or August, ferries from Spain will resume normal operations...
There's nothing wrong with a bit of optimism and seeing as my 690 Enduro is parked in southern Spain I also want the ferries to resume, however there are strong counter feelings in Morocco about

(1) the failure of Spain to backup the USA acknowledgement of Morocco's claim to what was formerly Spanish Sahara,

(2) the historic claims to Ceuta and Melilla, the borders of which with Morocco have been closed for more than a year, and

(3) most importantly, the argument over Spain allowing the Polisario leader to be spirited into the country under false name to receive medical treatment despite claims of his war crimes.

I can't see how this will play out other than a continued face-off.
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Old 9 Jun 2021
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The lunacy is freight still continues between Spain and Morocco on the ferries and has done since the border closed in 2020. If the political issue was serious enough you'd think they'd shut the routes completely.

If the reports in the Spanish press that the maritime traffic is worth over a billion euros in business to the Spanish ports, then the Moroccan side has to be worth similar levels of revenue.

Which ever way you look at it the limited number of GNV sailings from Sete and Genoa is not going to be enough to move the expected number of people and vehicles this summer. At the moment La Meridiniale haven't been authorised to run ferry services again, but I expect that will change soon. Even so space is going to be scarce and prices high.

That will end up putting a lot of pressure on both sides to move things forward
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Old 30 Jun 2021
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Anyone booked Sete for October yet?
Quote:
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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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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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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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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Old 3 Jul 2021
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Thx. Believe Baleria is booking Moroccans only southbound, europeans allowed northbound.
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