Revitalizing Maritime Ties

Morocco and Canary Islands Join Forces to Reopen Fuerteventura-Tarfaya Route

CANARY ISLANDS CRUISE TERMINALS FUERTEVENTURA FUERTEVENTURA PROPERTY TRENDS FUERTEVENTURA-TARFAYA FUERTEVENTURA TOURISM FUERTEVENTURA VACATION RENTALS GOLDACREESTATES REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES IN FUERTEVENTURA YEAR-ROUND SUNSHINE IN FUERTEVENTURA

In a collaborative effort between Morocco and the Canary Islands, plans are underway to rejuvenate the maritime link between Fuerteventura and Tarfaya in the coming months, as revealed by the autonomous government in an official announcement on Friday.

During a meeting with the Moroccan consul, Fatiha El Kamouri, the president of the archipelago, Fernando Clavijo, underscored his administration's unwavering commitment to expeditiously recommence operations of the shipping line. The service was discontinued in 2008, and Clavijo expressed his determination to facilitate its swift revival.

Notably, the previous government of the Canary Islands, led by Angel Victor Torres, disclosed in May its successful attainment of an official commitment from Morocco to reinstate the maritime connection between Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) and Tarfaya. Torres, now heading the Ministry of Territorial Policy in Pedro Sanchez's new government, led a Canarian trade delegation to Morocco on March 15 and 16.

The consortium of companies, Puerto de Tarfaya Canarias, orchestrated a meeting with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Morocco, Khalid Cherkaoui. This gathering, supported by the Canary Islands government and the Spanish embassy in Rabat, aimed to advance the proposal of reopening the maritime route between Tarfaya and Puerto del Rosario. The initiative, initially broached during the March trade visit, continued to progress in subsequent negotiations.

In response to these discussions, the Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics conveyed the intent to convene a meeting to propel the maritime route forward, citing its pivotal role in fortifying commercial and logistical ties between Morocco and Spain. Leading the Canary Islands delegation, Minister of Economy, Knowledge, and Employment, Elena Máñez, endorsed the private initiative to reactivate the maritime connection, emphasizing its potential economic and logistical advantages.

Furthermore, the meeting spotlighted the expertise of the Canary Islands consortium in port and logistics management, seeking approval from Moroccan authorities to operate in the recently refurbished port of Tarfaya. The objective is to resurrect the route that was operational between 2007 and 2008. The Port of Tarfaya's enhanced infrastructure, boasting a 225-meter quay, a 10,000 square meter commercial area, and an 84,000 square meter industrial zone, along with an adapted ramp and dredging works, now aligns with the technical prerequisites for reinstating the maritime connection with Puerto del Rosario.