A joint project to build a rail tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar will connect Morocco to Spain. This vast project, requiring a budget of 15 billion EUR, aims to boost trade between Africa and Europe. This large-scale project will take several years to complete, with a target completion date of around 2040.
Promoting Trade Through the Rail Tunnel
Several initiatives are being implemented by Morocco and Spain to strengthen trade between Europe and Africa. The project to build a rail tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar is one of them. Its implementation will boost trade, simplify the transport of goods, and encourage tourism. It will also improve the rail connection between the continents.
Furthermore, to ensure the successful implementation of the project, the two nations have agreed to conduct technical feasibility studies. These include a geotechnical study of the Camarinal sill and seismic monitoring of the strait.
Project Features
Length and Route: The tunnel is expected to extend approximately 42 kilometers, including 27.8 kilometers under the Strait of Gibraltar, connecting Punta Paloma near Tarifa, Spain, to Malabata near Tangier, Morocco.
- Depth: The tunnel will be located approximately 100 meters below the surface.
- Objectives: It is expected to transport up to 13 million tons of goods and 12.8 million passengers per year.
Current Project Status
Feasibility Studies: Preliminary studies are underway, with the participation of the German company Herrenknecht to assess the technical and financial feasibility of the project.
Timeline: Although work is scheduled to begin around 2030, there are doubts about whether the project will be completed within this timeframe.
Cost: Estimates vary, but the cost could be around 15 billion EUR.
Strategic Importance
Europe-Africa Integration: This project represents a significant step forward in economic and cultural integration between Europe and Africa.
Reduced Travel Times: It could reduce travel time between Madrid and Casablanca to approximately five and a half hours.
The Tunnel’s Economic Impact on Trade between Europe and Africa
The economic impact of the undersea tunnel between Morocco and Spain on trade between Europe and Africa will be considerable.
Stimulation of Trade
Increased Cargo Volume: The tunnel will allow the transit of 13 million tons of goods per year, which will strengthen trade between the two continents.
Reduced Costs and Delays: By facilitating land transportation, the tunnel will reduce costs and travel times, making trade more efficient and competitive.
Economic Integration and Cooperation
Strengthened Economic Ties: The project symbolizes a new era of economic cooperation between Europe and Africa, fostering the integration of markets and industries.
Investment and Regional Development: The tunnel is expected to attract substantial investment, boost logistics and tourism industries, and promote regional economic development.
Impact on Tourism and Cultural Exchange
Increased Tourist Flow: The tunnel will facilitate travel between the two continents, which could increase tourism and strengthen cultural exchanges.
Mutual Understanding: By fostering cultural interactions, the project will contribute to better understanding and cooperation between European and African peoples.
In short, the underwater tunnel between Morocco and Spain has the potential to profoundly transform economic and cultural exchanges between Europe and Africa, by creating a major transit axis and strengthening ties between the two continents.
