"The resumption of Operation Marhaba, after two years of interruption due to the health crisis caused by the spread of Covid-19, requires joining efforts on both shores of the Mediterranean to ensure its success", said Mr. Abkari in a statement to MAP.

He added that the joint Moroccan-Spanish commission expects a large influx of Moroccans living abroad (MRE), as well as Moroccan and foreign tourists, in particular during the peak period at the end of August, which corresponds to the return phase of the "Marhaba" operation.

After underlining the particular interest that HM King Mohammed VI attaches to the "Marhaba" operation, Mr. Abkari noted that the two sides are called upon to strengthen the capacities of shipping lines and the management of flows on the roads and in ports, while taking into consideration the health context and the public health of citizens, which remains a priority.

"The 2022 transit operation will undoubtedly be unique and marked by challenges to be met on a daily basis," he said.

The official said that the Tanger Med port took advantage of the period of forced shutdown due to the pandemic to respond to certain observations raised in recent years and make the necessary improvements into the reception system, noting that a budget of 150 million dirhams has been mobilized to prepare the transit operation, so as to ensure fluidity and health security, through the strengthening of reception, comfort and control capacities.

In this regard, he noted the increase from 10 to 16 in the number of check-in counters at the ferry terminal, the deployment of 32 counters for passengers with vehicles, the increase in shaded areas, the strengthening of lighting, the development of spaces dedicated to children and green spaces, as well as the establishment of drinking water fountains, restaurants, information points and sanitary facilities, in addition to the development of a space dedicated to border health control, and the establishment of other necessary service structures, noting that the human resources necessary to ensure the success of Operation "Marhaba" 2022 will be mobilized.

Regarding the measures scheduled during the peak period, the official noted that 14 ships will be mobilized on the main Tangier Med-Algeciras axis, which will be able to carry out up to 48 rotations per day, alongside the ships that ensure the crossing with France and Italy, in addition to the adoption of tickets reserved in advance (with specific date), and the opening of the rest areas of Ksar Sghir and the highway, under the supervision of the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity and the local authority, with the possibility of applying the interchangeability of tickets between the companies if necessary.

Mr. Abkari said that all those involved in the transit operation, namely elements of National Security, Customs, public health and the Royal Gendarmerie, as well as local authorities, in coordination with the Mohammed Foundation V for solidarity, ensure that the appropriate conditions are put in place to welcome Moroccans from around the world.

The Moroccan-Spanish joint transit commission held, Thursday in Rabat, a meeting focused on the operational arrangements put in place by the two parties, similar to those adopted in 2019, in order to ensure the best conditions for the progress of the 2022 transit operation.