A submarine tunnel project between Europe and Africa reignites ambitions for a connection with Morocco.
A Grand Underwater Tunnel Project Linking Europe to Africa Resurfaces
A vast underwater tunnel project connecting Europe to Africa is making headlines, generating increasing interest across Europe and the Mediterranean region. The proposed infrastructure aims to link Spain to Morocco through the Strait of Gibraltar, covering an estimated distance of around 42 kilometers, nearly 27 of which would be underwater.
This initiative, currently in the feasibility study phase, seeks to establish a strategic railway and logistical connection between Punta Paloma in Spain and Punta Malabata near Tangier. The plan includes two railway tunnels alongside a maintenance tunnel for safety and evacuation purposes.
According to preliminary technical projections, this future structure could facilitate a journey of approximately 30 minutes between the two shores, with shuttles dedicated to transporting passengers and vehicles. The goal is to enhance economic, tourism, and human exchanges between Europe and Africa.
Spanish authorities have recently reignited technical and geological studies, primarily due to the project’s complexity related to marine conditions, the depth of the strait, and the seismic activity of the region. A preliminary study conducted by international experts confirmed the technical feasibility of the construction, although it did not endorse immediate implementation.
No definitive decision has yet been made regarding the start of construction. Should the project be approved, the construction period could extend to around fifteen years, with a potential operational date by 2040 and an estimated budget running into several billion euros.
This strategic project is frequently mentioned as a future major connection route between Morocco and Europe, poised to profoundly transform exchanges between the two continents.
