Spain-Morocco undersea tunnel set to cost €15 billion
The ambitious Spain-Morocco undersea tunnel project, designed to connect Morocco’s Tangier with Spain’s Algeciras through the Strait of Gibraltar, is estimated to carry a hefty price tag of €15 billion, as reported by Spanish newspaper La Razón.
This monumental initiative is not merely an engineering endeavor; it holds significant implications for global geostrategic dynamics. The tunnel aims to enhance connectivity between Europe and Africa, facilitating trade, freight transport, and tourism, while also promoting the integration of rail networks between the two continents, despite Morocco's railway system not being fully electrified.
Interest in the project intensified following FIFA's acceptance of the joint Morocco-Spain-Portugal bid to host the 2030 World Cup, although the tunnel is not expected to be operational in time for the event.
The intercontinental link is designed to expedite the movement of passengers and goods, serving as a modern alternative to the current ferry services that operate across the strait.
According to La Razón, the tunnel is projected to stimulate economic development in the Strait of Gibraltar region, benefiting both southern Spain and northern Morocco. However, engineers estimate that the project will not be completed before 2040, even if construction commences promptly.
The undertaking is being overseen by Herrenknecht Ibérica, a Spanish subsidiary of the German company Herrenknecht, which has initiated two technical studies to assess feasibility and finalize engineering details. This delay stems from significant technical challenges posed by the tunnel’s location at the intersection of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates along the Azores-Gibraltar fault line.
If successfully completed, this monumental infrastructure project would establish the first fixed link between Africa and Europe, potentially transforming trade relations between the two continents.
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