Spain-Morocco Corridor: Africa’s New Trade Gateway?

Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are prompting countries to reassess global trade routes, with the Strait of Gibraltar emerging as a strategic alternative. Concerns over potential disruptions to oil supply, potentially driving prices as high as $200 per barrel, are fueling the search for new pathways.

Strategic Importance of the Gibraltar Corridor

The Strait of Gibraltar, the only natural link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, is among the busiest maritime routes globally, with approximately 300 vessels crossing daily. Prior to the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, it served as the sole oceanic access point to the Mediterranean.

Attention is focused on a proposed subsea rail tunnel linking Spain and Morocco, a project considered since 1979. A February report indicated the USS Gerald R. Ford activated its public tracking beacon while sailing toward the strait, highlighting the corridor’s strategic importance.

Project Details and Next Steps

The proposed tunnel would consist of two rail tubes for passengers and freight, with an estimated journey time of 30 minutes. Total project costs are estimated between €15 billion and €20 billion, with Spain’s share exceeding €8.5 billion.

A feasibility study by German engineering firm Herrenknecht found the project technically viable. Spanish consultancy Ineco is currently preparing a detailed blueprint, with potential approval as early as 2027. The project, overseen by Spain’s SECEGSA and Morocco’s SNED, would span approximately 42 kilometres, including 27 kilometres underwater, connecting Punta Paloma in Cadiz to Cape Malabata near Tangier.

Trade and Logistics Implications

The tunnel could establish North Africa as a logistics hub, directly linking African production centres to European markets and reducing reliance on vulnerable maritime routes. The project also aligns with efforts to strengthen trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Engineering and Geological Challenges

Plans for a bridge across the Strait of Gibraltar were abandoned in 1996 due to extreme conditions, including depths reaching 900 metres and heavy maritime traffic. Current plans focus on a deep rail tunnel routed through the Camarinal Sill, at depths of about 475 metres below sea level.

Engineers anticipate challenges from unstable geological formations, including rock and clay layers, and seismic risks associated with the Azores–Gibraltar fault line. “These conditions require a structure that can withstand both high pressure and seismic movement over decades,” a project engineer familiar with the studies said.

If completed, the tunnel would enable passenger and freight travel between Africa and Europe in approximately 30 minutes by rail, potentially strengthening Africa’s position in global supply chains.