New developments for the Morocco-Spain tunnel project

Doubts linger regarding the feasibility of the proposed tunnel between Spain and Morocco. To gather comprehensive data on the viability and costs of this megaproject, new studies have been commissioned to a German firm.

The Spanish public company Ineco recently issued a call for tenders for the "feasibility study of excavation for the fixed communication project across the Strait of Gibraltar." The work involves "verifying the feasibility of excavating the breaches, the most critical section to be bored by the tunnel boring machine along the Camarinal threshold, while reviewing the construction method considerations in APP07," as stated in the tender announcement. Additionally, a more detailed assessment of the excavation of the flyschs is required.

Following the tender process, Herrenknecht Ibérica, the Spanish subsidiary of the German giant renowned for tunnel construction, was selected to conduct the work for a total amount of €296,400. "The fixed link project is currently in the feasibility study phase, and the project's viability cannot be considered until these studies are complete," the Spanish Ministry of Transport informed El Independiente.

Beyond feasibility, the cost of the Strait tunnel represents another significant hurdle to its realization. "It is very expensive. This is one of the reasons it has been delayed," stated Rafael García-Monge, Secretary General of the Spanish Society of Studies for Fixed Communication Across the Strait of Gibraltar (SECEGSA), a year ago. Thirty years ago, the estimated cost of the project was €13 billion, but today, it could exceed double that amount.

The Morocco-Spain tunnel project was revitalized in April 2023 following a high-level meeting held in Rabat in February of that year. Originally proposed in 1989, the project initially considered the construction of a bridge. However, this option was abandoned in 1995 in favor of a 38.7-kilometer railway tunnel, with 27.7 kilometers underwater. This tunnel aims to facilitate passenger and freight traffic between Spain and Morocco, thereby enhancing connectivity between Africa and Europe.