Spanish shipping company Balearia has announced its successful bid to operate the maritime route connecting Tarifa and Tangier for the next 15 years.
Adolfo Utor, the company’s president, expressed his satisfaction with this achievement, highlighting the efforts made by Balearia’s team over the years to present a technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable project.
Mr. Utor emphasized that this milestone underscores the company’s commitment to innovation. The goal is to turn this route into a benchmark for modern, sustainable mobility while fostering economic growth by creating jobs and integrating local maritime professionals.
The project includes constructing two fast electric ferries and upgrading ports with advanced charging systems, with a total investment of €135 million. The ferries will be built at the Armon shipyard in Gijón over two and a half years. In the interim, Avemar 2 and Jaume I will provide temporary services.
Balearia began operations in Morocco in 2003 with the Tangier-Algeciras line, expanded in 2017 with the Nador-Almeria route, and added the Tangier Med-Motril line in 2023. Over the past two decades, it has transported over 9.5 million passengers, nearly 3 million vehicles, and 1 million cargo trucks.
Beyond its economic role, the Balearia Foundation supports various social and cultural initiatives. These efforts include student employment programs, promoting local artists, and fostering cultural exchanges between Morocco and Spain, reflecting the company’s dedication to social responsibility and sustainable development.
