# Algeciras ferry traffic surge 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/algeciras-ferry-traffic-surge-2026 > Updated: 2026-08-16T18:08:23.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3. Mid‑July 2026 saw the Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE) reach a record surge at the Port of Algeciras, handling almost 40,000 passengers and 10,000 vehicles in a 48‑hour period. Nearby Tarifa recorded 13,717 travellers and 2,590 cars, and the combined activity of Algeciras and Tarifa accounted for 473,470 passengers and 116,951 vehicles in the first month—about 73% of Spain’s total OPE traffic. The Algeciras‑Tangier Med link carried the highest number of travellers. By the end of July, ferry services to Ceuta, Tangier Med and Tangier Ville were operating normally despite the migration crisis in Ceuta, with the Port Authority keeping reinforced deployments in place. Overall, OPE moved 1,168,480 travellers through Spanish ports, while vessel rotations, passenger numbers and vehicle counts showed slight year‑on‑year declines. The Interior Ministry projected a new record for the year. In early August, the operation continued to set historic peaks. Tarifa experienced severe vehicle queues spilling into its historic centre, threatening a protected cultural area. At the Port of Almería, OPE handled 253,423 passengers and 64,449 vehicles between 15 June and 3 August, a level comparable to the previous year with a marginal 0.1% decline. The Nador route remained the main corridor, carrying over 212,000 passengers and 54,000 vehicles, followed by the Melilla line, with smaller services to Ghazaouet and Oran. OPE also delivered 473 medical and 802 social‑assistance cases, and officials forecast a 5% annual growth in Tarifa’s share of the operation. By mid-August, Andalusian ports had managed over 2.16 million passengers between 15 June and 15 August, representing 96.9% of all travelers across participating Spanish ports. While this was a 2.7% decrease compared to 2025, Algeciras remained the primary hub, recording 903,658 passengers and 251,473 vehicles during the departure phase. ## Claims - Peninsula and Evos signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop dedicated biofuel storage at the Port of Algeciras. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The planned storage capacity is up to 60,000 cubic metres. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The storage will be reserved for Peninsula to store and blend marine biofuels locally. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Evos will be responsible for engineering, permitting and construction of the storage facility. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The project is subject to a final investment decision by Evos. (corroborated by 3 sources) - John A. Bassadone said biofuel adoption is accelerating due to price volatility and EU regulations such as FuelEU and EU ETS. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Daan Vos said Algeciras is an important bunker hub and the project strengthens its role in low‑carbon shipping. (single source) - The storage facility will be located at Evos' terminal near the Strait of Gibraltar, a major maritime corridor. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-16: Operation Paso del Estrecho 2026 sees high passenger volumes in Algeciras and Melilla The 2026 Operation Paso del Estrecho has moved over 2.16 million passengers through Andalusian ports, with Algeciras remaining the main hub despite a slight overall decline in traffic. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/operation-paso-del-estrecho-2026-sees-high-passenger-volumes-in-algeciras-and-melilla ### 2026-07-31: Algeciras‑Ceuta ferries operate normally despite Ceuta migration crisis Three ferry operators between Algeciras and Ceuta kept services running normally despite Ceuta’s migration crisis, with the port authority expecting up to 35,000 vehicles through the Operation Paso del Estrecho 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algecirasceuta-ferries-operate-normally-despite-ceuta-migration-crisis ### 2026-07-19: Algeciras Port sees record summer surge in OPE ferry traffic Algeciras port handled nearly 40,000 passengers and 10,000 vehicles in 48 hours, part of an OPE summer surge that saw over 473,000 travellers across Spain’s ports. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/algeciras-port-sees-record-summer-surge-in-ope-ferry-traffic --- Cite as: Algeciras ferry traffic surge 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/algeciras-ferry-traffic-surge-2026