Morocco-Spain Tunnel

Project resumed

April 2, 2025

The Strait of Gibraltar tunnel project is back in the news with a feasibility study that could lead to its realisation

A long-stalled project could become a reality: Herrenknecht Iberica has won a contract to carry out a feasibility study for the construction of an underwater railway tunnel between Morocco and Spain.

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A dream fifty years long

The idea of a fixed link between Morocco and Spain has been under discussion since 1980, but until now costs and technical difficulties have prevented the project from being realised. However, 2025 could mark a decisive turning point: the Spanish government has awarded a new feasibility study to evaluate the possibility of digging a railway tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar.

One of the longest tunnels in the world

If built, the tunnel would be one of the longest of its kind, with an underwater section of over 38 kilometers, passing the Channel Tunnel. The route would start in the province of Cadiz, Spain, and arrive near the port city of Tangier, Morocco. The link would speed up the transport of goods and passengers between Africa and Europe, with high-speed trains capable of carrying both passengers and vehicles.

A strategic infrastructure for the future

Besides the engineering aspect, the tunnel would have a significant impact on economic relations between Europe and Africa. The work would allow a more efficient flow of goods and people, reducing travel times and strengthening cooperation between the two continents. In Spain, new railway lines will have to be built to integrate the tunnel into the existing network.

The project remains ambitious, but with EU support and renewed interest from Spain and Morocco, the tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar could become a reality in the next few years.