Hello 2026: Over 2 Million Passengers Already Registered at Andalusian Ports
Operation Marhaba 2026 Sees Robust Traffic Between Morocco and Europe
The operation Marhaba 2026 continues to maintain a brisk pace of crossings between Morocco and Europe, with over 2.16 million passengers having traveled through the five participating Andalusian ports during the first two months of the operation.
Since the start of the outbound phase on June 15, approximately 2.169 million travelers have utilized these ports, marking an increase of 2.7% compared to the same period in 2025.
The number of vehicles transported in both directions has reached around 545,359 units, which represents a decrease of 1.7% year-on-year, indicating a different trend in passenger traffic compared to vehicle transport.
The port of Algeciras remains the primary gateway for Moroccans living abroad and travelers crossing the Mediterranean. It recorded approximately 3,258 crossings during the considered period.
These connections facilitated the transportation of nearly 903,658 passengers and 251,473 vehicles to Morocco, confirming the port’s dominant position within the operation framework.
However, traffic at Algeciras is still below that recorded the previous year. The number of passengers has decreased by 7.6%, while vehicle traffic has declined by 5.7%.
With the launch of the return phase on August 16, the flow of travelers and vehicles heading back to Europe is gradually beginning to rise. At Algeciras, approximately 295,639 passengers and 82,520 vehicles have already been recorded for the return journey.
The pressure is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as the end of summer holidays approaches. Spanish ports are likely to see an influx of Moroccans living abroad, alongside European families returning after their vacations in Morocco.
The return phase of Marhaba 2026 will continue until September 15, with a surge in traffic anticipated during the second half of August and the beginning of September.
Early trends suggest an overall increase in passenger numbers of approximately 3% compared to the previous edition, underscoring the importance of maritime links between Morocco and Spain during the summer season.
For comparison, the Marhaba 2025 operation recorded around 3.49 million passengers and nearly 858,000 vehicles crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, facilitated by over 10,000 maritime crossings.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the final tally for Marhaba 2026, as return traffic is expected to peak before the official conclusion of the operation in mid-September.
