Temporary suspension of maritime traffic at Tangier Ville port

Saturday 08 March 2025 - 15:30

By: Dakir Madiha

Temporary suspension of maritime traffic at Tangier Ville port

Severe weather conditions, including strong winds and wave heights exceeding three meters, have led to the temporary suspension of maritime traffic between Tangier Ville and Tarifa, effective Friday, March 7, 2025.

Abdelaziz Elouardi, the vice president of Tangier Ville port and head of commercial operations, confirmed that passenger traffic between Tangier and Tarifa would be halted, although the exact duration of this interruption has not been specified. This suspension will continue throughout the weekend to ensure the safety of all passengers.

Mr. Elouardi further noted that both maritime and commercial navigation would be suspended due to the anticipated wave heights, which are expected to surpass three meters.

The General Directorate of Meteorology has issued a warning of snowfall exceeding 1,500 meters, with accumulations between 35 and 60 cm expected from Saturday at noon until Monday at 1 PM in the provinces of Ifrane, Azilal, Béni Mellal, and Midelt, according to a red alert bulletin from the DGM.

An orange alert has also been issued for snowfall (25-35 cm) during the same period, impacting the provinces of Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Guercif, Sefrou, Taza, Boulemane, Khénifra, Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Chichaoua, and Taroudant, as mentioned by the DGM.

Additionally, heavy rain, occasionally accompanied by thunderstorms and localized hail, is forecasted between Saturday at midnight and Monday at 6 AM, with totals ranging from 80 to 130 mm in the provinces of Tangier-Assilah, Chefchaouen, Tétouan, Larache, Fahs-Anjra, and Al Hoceima.

An orange alert will also apply from Saturday at midnight to Sunday at 11 PM in the provinces of M’diq-Fnideq, Ouezzane, Kénitra, Taounate, Sidi Kacem, Taza, Ifrane, Béni Mellal, Azilal, and Khénifra, with expected precipitation between 40 and 70 mm. Furthermore, accumulations of 25 to 35 mm are anticipated in the provinces of Essaouira, Safi, Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Taroudant, and Khémisset on Saturday.

Strong wind gusts, reaching 70 to 95 km/h, will affect provinces such as Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima, Fahs-Anjra, Tangier-Assilah, Larache, Tétouan, M’diq-Fnideq, Guercif, Sefrou, Ifrane, Boulemane, El Hajeb, Taza, Meknès, Kénitra, Khémisset, Rabat, Skhirate-Témara, Salé, Benslimane, Médiouna, Sidi Bennour, El Jadida, Berrechid, Settat, Mohammedia, Nouaceur, Casablanca, Youssoufia, Marrakech, Essaouira, Chichaoua, Rehamna, Safi, and Ouarzazate from Saturday at midnight to Sunday at 11 PM.

Similar wind gusts under an orange alert are also expected in Taourirt, Figuig, Jerada, Zagora, Tinghir, Midelt, Errachidia, and Tata on Saturday from 9 AM to 11 PM, according to the same source.