The return phase of the Operation Paso del Estrecho (OPE), which will conclude on September 15, is facing its final stretch with a balance of over 1.5 million passengers embarked, representing an increase of 2.9% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the General Directorate of Civil Protection and Emergencies.
Since the beginning of this phase, in mid-July, up to this Saturday, a total of 1,580,799 people and 374,578 vehicles have been embarked in 4,706 rotations. In 2024, the figure rose to 1,536,656 passengers and 365,129 vehicles in 5,205 rotations. The comparison also reflects a reduction of 9.6% in the number of crossings made by the ships, indicating greater operational efficiency of the companies covering these routes.
The bulk of the traffic is concentrated in the Strait of Gibraltar. The Tangier Med-Algeciras route accounts for 46.5% of the total passengers, followed by the Ceuta-Algeciras line, with 14%, and Tangier Ville-Tarifa, which represents 12.5%. However, the Nador-Almeria connection has recorded significant growth and now reaches 13.3% of total movement, positioning it as the third most used route in the return phase.
On the contrary, the routes with the least weight are Tangier Med-Motril and Ghazaouet-Almeria, both with 0.3%; Oran-Almeria, with 0.5%; and Algiers-Alicante, with 0.6%. These routes, although minority, are part of the network covering returns to Europe from different points on the North African coast.
The operation involves the ports of Ceuta and Melilla along with those of Alhucemas, Algiers, Ghazaouet, Mostaganem, Nador, Oran, and Tangier. The device, which mobilizes port authorities, security forces, and assistance services, is being carried out normally.
In terms of support for travelers, Civil Protection has counted to date 1,742 social assistance cases, all of which were recorded in Ceuta, and 78 health care attentions, of which 63 took place in the Ceuta port and the rest in Melilla.