In fact, the project to link the two territories is a recurring topic that has been talked about for 45 years: in 1979, Hassan II and Juan Carlos I, in a joint declaration signed in Fez, expressed their willingness to work together on the project. In 2022, following their diplomatic reconciliation, the Moroccan and Spanish governments relaunched the subject: it had been more than a decade since the project had been shelved.
During recent exchanges between the Moroccan and Spanish infrastructure ministers, the tunnel issue was one of the most talked-about topics at press conferences. Spain’s former Infrastructure Minister, Raquel Sánchez, had already stressed that the revival of this project after a fourteen-year hiatus « is of major political importance ». Her successor, Óscar Puente, also spoke of the« strategic » nature of this infrastructure after a meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Nizar Baraka, last March.
The Spanish ministry also points out that « this project is highly complex and its viability is still under study ». It adds that « the hypothesis of building an exploration gallery is being considered and, if implemented, would require Morocco’s agreement ».
The Spanish government has even allocated 2.3 million euros to the Spanish Company of Studies for Fixed communication across the strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA, Sociedad Española de Estudios para la Comunicación Fixa en el Straío de Gibraltar ) which, together with its Moroccan counterpart, the National company for the studies of the strait of Gibraltar (SNED, Société nationale d’études du détroit de Gibraltar ), is currently carrying out feasibility studies for the project. The funding comes from the recovery plan financed by the European Union as part of efforts to « repair » the damage caused by the pandemic.
Work plan for the coming years
On February 2, 2023, the two state-owned companies held their 43rd Joint Commission. At this meeting, the foundations were laid for progress in the study of this project. According to SNED, the work plan for the current period up to 2026 aims to « restructure » all the work accomplished to date.
It also includes « the exploration of underground geological structures through land and marine reconnaissance campaigns, the technical characterization of the tunnel route and its associated structures through a series of specific studies ». These two years will also be used to study other aspects of the project: socio-economic, environmental, geo-strategic and legal.
There are two options for the tunnel routes: the first, 14 kilometers long with a maximum depth of 800 meters, and a second option, called the « Route du Seuil », which is 25 kilometers long with a maximum depth of 300 meters. The second option, with three quarters of the route underwater, is considered the most viable by SECEGSA. The project comprises two tunnels, separated by a safety gallery in the middle, in which high-speed trains will run in both directions. In short, a project similar to the one that has linked the French and English coasts for the past thirty years.
« Linking Europe and Africa via a tunnel would be a huge leap forward, »
In the past, studies had also envisaged the construction of a bridge, but this option was ruled out due to the technical difficulties posed by the strong winds blowing through the strait. A key argument in favor of the tunnel, in addition to its reduced impact on maritime navigation.
Linking Europe and Africa via a tunnel would be a huge leap forward, enthuses Spanish engineer and expert in major project management, Guillem Ràfales. He explains that although it would be a major technical challenge, « current technology is very advanced and similar projects have already been carried out ».
However, Guillem Ràfales underlines the economic challenges involved in building this tunnel, comparing it to other projects he has managed in Spain, such as the high-speed train line in Barcelona. He adds that this type of project can cost up to 250 million euros per kilometer, not counting any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
Over 3 million passengers in the summer
But the Strait of Gibraltar is one of the busiest crossings in the world – linking two continents – in terms of passengers and goods. In 2023, according to data from the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa, almost 3.7 million passengers crossed from Spain to Morocco, and 1.8 million from southern Spain to Sebta.
Currently, four shipping companies operate in the area, offering a ferry every half-hour between the northern and southern ports of the Strait. During the busy Marhaba 2023 operation, no fewer than 3.2 million passengers and 775,000 vehicles crossed the strait from Spain to Morocco and vice versa, according to Spanish government figures.
Similarly, the transit of trucks and goods is constant. In 2020, 381,130 trucks made the journey between Morocco and Europe.
The Strait of Gibraltar is the main entry and exit point for goods between Morocco and the European continent: 90% of trucks to and from Morocco pass through Algeciras, and Spain is the origin or final destination of almost half of these vehicles, according to a file from the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in Rabat. The same Office notes that this route is particularly used for transporting fruit and vegetables, textiles, electrical equipment and automotive components.
The possible construction of a tunnel between the two countries is therefore welcomed by the International road transport association (ASTIC, Association du transport international par route). Its executive vice-president, Ramón Valdivia, points out that « the flow of trucks crossing the Strait by ferry has doubled in recent years and is expected to continue to grow », arguing that « more lanes for freight transport is always beneficial, and having an alternative to the ferry is always advantageous ». He also refers to the construction of the Channel Tunnel as an example: « At present, half the goods cross by ship and the other half by tunnel, which greatly facilitates flows ».
Written by Marc Ferrà, edited in English by S.E.
