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Spain commissions Ineco to design Morocco tunnel after feasibility study
The Spanish government has officially tasked public engineering firm Ineco with designing the reconnaissance gallery for the long-awaited Morocco-Spain tunnel project, marking a significant milestone in the decades-old initiative. This ambitious undertaking envisions a railway connection under the Strait of Gibraltar, linking Europe to Africa.
A step closer to realization
According to Vozpópuli, the commission was issued by SECEGSA (Spanish Company for Studies on Fixed Communication across the Gibraltar Strait) on November 3. SECEGSA, which operates under the Ministry of Transport, allocated €961,939 for the contract. The funding, sourced from the European Recovery Plan, sets a delivery deadline of August 2026 for the preliminary design.
This follows a feasibility study conducted by German firm Herrenknecht in June, which confirmed the project’s technical viability despite the challenging conditions. The reconnaissance gallery will serve as an exploratory tunnel, validating geological conditions and paving the way for the construction of the main railway tunnel.
The proposed connection will span 65 kilometers, with 28 kilometers running underwater at depths of up to 475 meters below sea level. It will link Punta Paloma in Spain to Punta Malabata near Tangier, Morocco, offering new possibilities for passenger and freight transport between the continents.
Geological and engineering challenges
The Strait of Gibraltar’s unique geological setting, situated at the meeting point of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, presents significant technical hurdles. Seismic risks, including those posed by past earthquakes such as the Alboran Sea earthquake in 2016, must be carefully addressed.
The reconnaissance gallery will also help engineers assess the paleochannel zones, known for their unstable terrain. The design incorporates a twin-tube approach, requiring excavation through the Camarinal Threshold, an area of complex geology and strong marine currents caused by the interaction of Atlantic and Mediterranean waters.
Ineco’s commission includes updating earlier studies, revising geological maps, and conducting seismic and geotechnical analyses. The project also mandates compliance with updated European safety and ventilation standards, including fire simulation testing.
Long-term vision and timeline
While the reconnaissance gallery is expected to be completed by 2026, full-scale construction may take longer. Internal estimates suggest that the tunnel could become operational between 2035 and 2040, given the technical complexities and the projected €15–30 billion cost.
Spain and Morocco have intensified their collaboration since 2022, with both governments considering the project vital for enhancing Euro-Mediterranean integration. The tunnel could significantly reduce travel time between Tarifa and Tangier to just 30 minutes, offering transformative opportunities for economic and logistical connections between Europe and Africa.
The tunnel is also expected to generate revenue through railway services, logistics, and the integration of energy and telecommunications infrastructure.
A project rooted in history
The idea for a Gibraltar Strait tunnel dates back to the 19th century, inspired by engineering visions nearly as old as the Channel Tunnel. King Hassan II of Morocco championed the project in the 1970s, proposing it to US President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Despite numerous studies and agreements, the initiative remained dormant for decades, only regaining momentum in recent years.
In 2021, the project was included in the European Recovery Fund, securing over €2 million in allocations. Renewed political and economic cooperation between Spain and Morocco has since accelerated its progress. A final decision on tendering the main tunnel is expected by 2027, signaling a new chapter in this historic endeavor.