OPE 2023 Begins from the Port of Almería

The Operation Paso de Estrecho (OPE) 2023 officially begins today. The Maltese-flagged ferry “Visborg”, chartered by Balearia, departed last midnight from the port of Almería heading to Nador, marking the first departure within this operation, which starts with an estimated 52 weekly departures to North Africa.

The Port Authority of Almería expects around 700,000 passengers, surpassing the traffic of 2022 and even the pre-pandemic summer when 580,000 travelers were recorded considering the departure and entry phases, from June 15 to September 15.

The shipping companies that will operate during the OPE between the Almería dock and the destinations Melilla, Nador (Morocco), and Ghazaouet and Oran in Algeria are Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea, Balearia, and GNV. There are 13 weekly departures planned for the connection with Melilla; for Nador, the OPE 2023 fleet plan at the Port of Almería includes 37 weekly departures, while for Ghazaouet and Oran, one weekly departure is planned respectively.

To address the upcoming weeks when passenger traffic increases, the Port Authority of Almería will hold a new operational meeting with Security Forces and shipping companies next Friday.

The Port Authority of Almería allocates 542,200 euros to this year's OPE, with the largest portion, 200,000 euros, designated for personnel reinforcement. The APA has about 80 people to provide the best service during the special travel period, including 61 staff members and an additional 12 specifically hired for this purpose.

The APA has also made improvements to the walkways, signage, ro-ro ramp 3, renovated the flooring in the children's play area, rehabilitated modular restrooms in the pre-boarding area, adapted the passenger information system for automatic communication to boarding lanes, purchased around a hundred luggage carts, and installed energy control technology, among other actions.

The Port of Almería will also offer nearly 15,000 square meters of shade, thanks to the installation of 15 tents, which will complement other elements that will improve the waiting time for travelers, aiming to provide a quick operational response and meet their needs.

Photo: Antonio Martín Cancho