The underwater tunnel linking Spain to Morocco is one of the projects which have aroused great interest for almost a century, writes the British daily Le Telegraph.
“The idea of connecting Spain to Morocco by an underwater tunnel has crossed the minds of political leaders for almost a hundred years. As early as the 1920s, the pre-Franco Spanish government was already talking about this connection between Europe and Africa. The project took a major turning point in 1979, when the kings of Spain and Morocco signed an agreement to begin feasibility studies, thus marking the beginning of concrete steps with the creation of a Spanish public body to initiate the project »it was indicated.
The shortest distance between the two countries, only 14 km, makes the project theoretically feasible. However, “the portion of water is at its deepest point where the Strait of Gibraltar reaches impressive depths making the technological challenge much more complex than that of the Channel Tunnel.”
The current project plans a 28 km underwater tunnel linking Punta Paloma, in southern Spain, to Cape Matabata, east of Tangier, in Morocco. The tunnel would be built 475 meters below sea level, a significant technical challenge. According to Spanish authorities, once this tunnel is completed, it would be possible to travel from Madrid to Casablanca in just five and a half hours, compared to twelve hours currently by car and ferry.
Current discussions between the two countries have revealed a common goal: to complete the construction of the tunnel in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. This will be the first World Cup organized in three countries spread over two continents, and the first on the African continent since 2010. This gives new impetus to the project, a strong symbol of cooperation between Europe and Africa.
The Spanish Society for the Study of Fixed Communications across the Strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA) estimates that this tunnel “could facilitate the transport of 12.8 million passengers per year, which would radically transform trade between the two continents”we recalled. This project now benefits from new momentum, “notably thanks to the growth of infrastructure projects and the desire of the two countries to strengthen their ties. It is part of a broader vision of developing connections between Europe and Africa with considerable strategic and economic implications.according to the same source.
Probability of achievement: 3 out of 5
The project, which was put on hold in 2009, was relaunched in April 2023, during the first meeting of the Spanish-Moroccan joint commission for the study of the underwater tunnel in 14 years. Despite the geological difficulties – the rock beneath the strait is extremely hard and digging is a real challenge – innovative solutions are being considered, such as the use of prefabricated concrete tunnels fixed to the bottom of the strait.
“This ambitious project could not only transform mobility between Europe and Africa, but also open up new economic and diplomatic possibilities for both continents”we estimated.
