Africa Morocco Link expands capacity for Marhaba 2026 travel season
Africa Morocco Link is scaling up its operations for Operation Marhaba 2026 with a transport capacity exceeding 2.5 million passenger seats, reinforcing maritime connections between Morocco and Spain during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The Moroccan ferry operator is responding to the growing summer movement of Moroccans living abroad, alongside international travelers crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.
The company’s operational plan runs from June 5 to September 15 and covers ferry services linking Algeciras, Tarifa and Almería with the Moroccan ports of Tangier Med, Tangier City and Nador. To accommodate peak demand, Africa Morocco Link has deployed a fleet of seven vessels capable of operating more than 40 daily crossings during the busiest weeks of the season.
A major milestone for the company this summer is the launch of its new Nador to Almería route. After nearly a decade without a Moroccan operator serving this connection, Africa Morocco Link has become the only Moroccan ferry company providing direct service on the route. The move strengthens Morocco’s maritime presence while offering Moroccan expatriates and other travelers a national alternative between the two shores of the Mediterranean.
The new service is operated by the Stena Europe, the largest vessel in the company’s fleet. The ship can carry approximately 1,500 passengers and nearly 400 vehicles per crossing, providing the capacity needed to support the exceptional traffic generated by Operation Marhaba.
Beyond transport capacity, the company has invested in improving the onboard experience. The vessel features double and quadruple cabins, restaurants, an AML+ lounge, children’s play areas and spacious family facilities designed to make long crossings more comfortable during the busy summer months.
Africa Morocco Link also emphasizes its Moroccan identity as part of its customer experience. The onboard hospitality staff is entirely Moroccan, with multilingual crews serving passengers in Arabic, French, Spanish, English and Rif. The catering service is fully halal and tailored to the culinary preferences of Moroccan travelers.
Departure schedules have also been adapted to the travel habits of Moroccans residing abroad. Overnight sailings from both Almería and Nador are intended to simplify road connections across Europe and Morocco while reducing travel fatigue for families making long-distance journeys.
The expansion comes as Moroccan authorities continue to strengthen Operation Marhaba, one of the world’s largest seasonal passenger transport operations. Every summer, millions of Moroccans living overseas return home, prompting ferry operators and port authorities to increase capacity, streamline procedures and improve coordination across both sides of the Mediterranean.
Africa Morocco Link says it has worked closely with port authorities and security services in Morocco and Spain to ensure smooth passenger processing, efficient vehicle handling and safe maritime crossings throughout the season.
For the Nador to Almería route, round trip tickets for foot passengers start at €154. During the summer campaign, the route alone is expected to accommodate up to 500,000 passengers and around 120,000 vehicles, highlighting its strategic importance within the company’s broader network.
Strengthening Morocco’s maritime connectivity
The launch of the Nador to Almería service and the expansion of overall capacity reinforce Africa Morocco Link’s position in cross Mediterranean transport. As passenger volumes continue to rise under Operation Marhaba 2026, the company aims to combine higher capacity, improved passenger comfort and a distinctly Moroccan travel experience while supporting one of the country’s most significant annual mobility operations.
