Over 3.2 Million Passengers Passed Through Moroccan Ports During “Marhaba 2025,” Says Minister Abdessamad Kayouh

Speaking Wednesday in Rabat at a meeting with Moroccan and foreign maritime companies and national port authorities, Kayouh said these figures represent a 7% increase in passenger traffic and a 6% rise in vehicle numbers compared to 2024. The meeting reviewed the operation’s maritime transport results and overall performance.

The minister noted that this year’s operation mobilized 13 maritime routes connecting Morocco’s four passenger ports — Tanger Med, Tanger Ville, Nador, and Al Hoceima — with nine European ports, including Algeciras, Tarifa, Almeria, Motril, Marseille, Sète, Barcelona, Genoa, and Civitavecchia. A total of 29 vessels operated by seven shipping companies carried out over 500 weekly crossings, with a combined capacity of 500,000 passengers and 130,000 vehicles.

Kayouh highlighted several key measures implemented to ensure the operation’s success, including strict compliance with national and international safety and security standards, quality monitoring of onboard services, fare supervision, and the mandatory pre-booking system for all maritime routes.

For the first time, access to the Tanger Med Port was limited to travelers holding a valid same-day ticket, a measure the minister said played a decisive role in ensuring smooth traffic flow and operational efficiency. He also expressed gratitude to the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, the Ministry of the Interior, and all stakeholders involved in the operation’s success.

According to Amine El Karam, Director of Port Security at the National Ports Agency (ANP), the agency once again mobilized all necessary human and logistical resources to maintain optimal levels of safety and efficiency.

This year’s “Marhaba” operation was marked by two major developments: the opening of Nador’s new passenger terminal and the launch of a new maritime line between Nador and Marseille, both of which contributed significantly to the rise in traffic.

Meanwhile, Jaafar Amiar, Director of the Tanger Med Passenger Port, confirmed that the port maintained its role as the country’s main transit hub, handling 1.8 million passengers (+4%) and over 463,000 vehicles (+3%) — representing 56% of total passenger traffic and 63% of all vehicle movements.

All stakeholders emphasized that this year’s positive outcome reflects the collective effort and close coordination among all parties, led by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, to ensure smooth transit for Moroccan expatriates traveling through the Kingdom’s ports.

Editorial team/le7tv