Casablanca – The proposal to construct a tunnel connecting Morocco and Spain through the Strait of Gibraltar has captured worldwide attention. This ambitious project aims to bridge two continents and introduce a new train route, potentially revolutionizing transportation.

Currently, flights between Madrid and Tangier take about 90 minutes, while driving between the cities requires a nine-hour journey, including ferry rides. The envisioned continental link project, if successful, would involve building a tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar, enabling new train services between Madrid and Casablanca, 300 kilometers south of Tangier. The estimated travel time for this train journey would be approximately five and a half hours, offering a more sustainable transportation option.

The proposed tunnel route would extend from “Punta Paloma” in Tarifa to “Punta Malabata” in the Bay of Tangier, reaching a maximum depth of 300 meters with a maximum gradient of three percent. Completion of the project is expected to take up to five years, potentially coinciding with the 2030 FIFA World Cup as a vital means of connecting the two countries.

Feasibility studies for the project, known as the “Fixed Link,” are currently underway by the Moroccan National Company for the Study of the Strait of Gibraltar and its Spanish counterpart, the Spanish Association for Fixed Communications across the Strait of Gibraltar. This initiative, first proposed in 1979, aims to address the longstanding need for improved connectivity between Morocco and Spain.

Recent discussions during a visit by Spanish officials to Morocco underscored the commitment to advancing the project, emphasizing its strategic importance for both Spain and Morocco, as well as for the broader regions of Europe and Africa.

In a related development, Moroccan Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka held talks with Spanish Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility Oscar Puente Santiago in Rabat. The meeting focused on various cooperation projects related to the 2030 FIFA World Cup which will be organized in Morocco Spain and Portugal, including the proposed continental link between Morocco and Spain.

Following the meeting, Minister Baraka emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations and outlined plans to develop a roadmap for major infrastructure projects. Minister Santiago echoed these sentiments, highlighting the productive nature of the discussions and the potential for further progress in infrastructure development and cooperation between Morocco and Spain.