The Council of Ministers has authorized new spending commitments to ensure the continuity of the maritime line between Algeciras and Ceuta, considered of public interest and key for connectivity between the peninsula and the autonomous city.
The measure will allow bidding for a new contract to operate this route between July 1, 2026, and December 31, 2028, with a projected economic compensation of 2.6 million euros per year for the winning company.
The previous contract was signed on June 26, 2023, with the shipping company Baleària, with an initial validity until June 30, 2024. After an extension, the service was covered until June 30, 2025, which is why it is currently necessary to start a new bidding process to ensure the continuity of this strategic connection.
The approved authorization modifies the spending limits established in Law 47/2003, General Budgetary Law, and will allow the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to acquire economic commitments charged to future budgets to compensate companies that operate maritime services declared of public interest.
These contracts are based on what is provided for in Royal Legislative Decree 2/2011, which approves the Consolidated Text of the State Ports Law and the Merchant Navy, as well as in Royal Decree 1516/2007 on the legal regime of regular cabotage maritime lines and public interest navigations.
Other strategic routes
In addition to the connection between Algeciras and Ceuta, the agreement also considers the financing of other essential maritime routes for territorial cohesion.
Among them is the Peninsula-Canary Islands line, whose current contract with Compañía Trasmediterránea ends on June 30, 2026. The Government plans to bid for a new contract for the period between July 2026 and December 2028, with an annual compensation of 3.116 million euros.
Furthermore, the extension of the contracts for the Peninsula-Melilla connections is authorized. The lot corresponding to the Malaga-Melilla route is operated by Baleària with an annual compensation of 10.436 million euros, while the Almería-Melilla and Motril-Melilla lines are managed by Compañía Trasmediterránea for nine million euros annually. Both contracts may be extended until December 31, 2028.
More than 25 million per year
In total, the agreement will allow for a maximum spending commitment of 25.15 million euros annually in 2027 and 2028 to sustain these strategic maritime connections, in addition to a residual amount of 2.09 million in 2029 linked to the completion of the contracts.
The initiative stems from the needs identified by the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy to ensure the continuity of essential maritime services that ensure the mobility of passengers and goods between the peninsula, extrapeninsular territories, and northern Africa.