Historic cooperation between the two nations culminates in the Spain and Morocco green corridor initiative.
A Spanish ferry company will establish the first completely electric ferry service between Spain and Morocco in 2027, creating a pioneering green corridor between the two continents. This innovative project, representing a €45 million investment, marks a transformative step toward sustainable maritime transportation in the Mediterranean region.
Baleària will operate two custom-built electric ferries between Tarifa, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco, establishing the Spain and Morocco green corridor as the first zero-emission maritime route connecting Europe and Africa. The ships will produce no pollution and run solely on battery power for the 18-mile journey across the Strait of Gibraltar.
The Spanish shipbuilder Armon will spend the next two and a half years constructing these identical twin vessels in Gijón. Each ship will be powered by four electric motors, similar to those in electric cars but much larger, with a combined power equivalent to about 160 typical family cars. The ferries will carry 804 passengers and 225 vehicles on each trip, maintaining the same capacity as current diesel vessels serving the route.
Each ferry will utilize a massive 11,500 kilowatt-hour battery system, equivalent to the batteries of about 150 Tesla Model 3 cars combined. This substantial capacity ensures the ships can complete multiple crossings even in challenging weather conditions, making the Spain and Morocco green corridor reliable year-round. The battery systems represent the largest maritime installation of their kind in passenger vessels, designed to maintain performance through thousands of charging cycles.
The ports of Tarifa and Tangier will undergo significant infrastructure upgrades to support the new electric ferries. Tarifa’s port will install a 5-megawatt charging system, while Tangier’s port will feature an 8-megawatt system. Each charging session will consume electricity equivalent to powering 800 homes for an hour, necessitating substantial grid improvements in both ports.
The project also includes comprehensive crew training programs focused on electric propulsion systems and advanced maritime technology. Baleària plans to establish a specialized training center in Tarifa, offering certification courses for maritime professionals across the Mediterranean region. This initiative is expected to create an additional 100 jobs in the education and training sector.
Environmental monitoring will be a key component of the project. Marine biologists will conduct regular studies to measure the impact of reduced noise pollution on local marine life. Early estimates suggest that eliminating conventional ferry emissions could reduce local maritime carbon emissions by up to 20,000 tons annually.
The economic impact extends beyond environmental benefits. Local authorities expect to create approximately 200 new jobs in port operations, maintenance, and technical support positions across both terminals. Tourism operators anticipate increased visitor numbers, with surveys indicating that 65% of travelers would prefer an eco-friendly ferry option.
The green corridor project has also sparked innovation in local industries. Several Spanish and Moroccan companies are developing new technologies for electric maritime transport, from advanced battery management systems to specialized maintenance equipment. This technological ecosystem could generate an additional €30 million in regional economic activity annually.
Currently, conventional diesel-powered ferries making hundreds of weekly crossings through the Strait of Gibraltar emit thousands of tons of carbon dioxide annually. The strait’s diverse marine life, including dolphins, whales, and various fish species, suffers from this constant traffic. The new electric ferries will eliminate both emissions and underwater noise pollution on their route.
The initiative builds upon decades of maritime cooperation between Spain and Morocco—current ferry services transport over 2 million passengers annually between the two countries. The new electric route aims to increase this number while dramatically reducing environmental impact.
Baleària’s project involves collaboration with several companies, including Cotenaval for engineering, Endesa for energy infrastructure, Amendis for utilities, and Incat Crowther for ship design. The company has already demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by converting several vessels to run on natural gas and installing solar panels on existing ships.
Spain’s Secretary of State for Transport and Sustainable Mobility, José Antonio Santano, has endorsed the project aligning with the Ministry’s priority to reduce carbon emissions. The success of the Spain and Morocco green corridor could catalyze similar projects across the Mediterranean, with several European ferry operators closely monitoring the initiative.
When operational in 2027, this green corridor will demonstrate the viability of zero-emission maritime transport decades ahead of international climate targets, while strengthening the historic, cultural, and economic ties between Spain and Morocco.
