Passengers—mostly Moroccan nationals—were denied boarding late Friday on the FRS ferry from Motril (Granada) to Melilla after Spain’s Civil Guard ordered access restricted to Spanish citizens, Melilla residents, or immediate family members. The abrupt rule follows the closing of Melilla’s Beni-Enzar land crossing with Morocco in the wake of Ceuta’s mass entry. According to port authorities, nearly 200 travellers who had queued since the afternoon were told minutes before the 23:30 departure that their tickets would not be honoured. FRS offered free rebooking via Algeciras-Tangier Med, but many passengers said that option involved a 400-kilometre detour and fresh Moroccan entry formalities. Social media footage showed families sleeping on the terminal floor as staff processed refunds. Melilla’s regional government said maritime restrictions are necessary because reception centres are already at 280 % capacity and cannot guarantee processing of additional arrivals should Morocco re-open its gate suddenly. Business groups warn that limiting passenger flows also disrupts freight trailers that rely on the mixed-use vessel; perishables from Andalusia bound for North-Africa supermarkets risk spoilage if sailing schedules become erratic. Travel agencies in Madrid and Barcelona reported a spike in calls from dual-national clients unsure whether return trips in mid-August will proceed. Mobility advisers should flag that non-resident, third-country nationals may be barred from Melilla sailings on short notice until the enclave’s capacity stabilises. Employers with staff on rotation inside Melilla are advised to secure proof of residence (padron certificate) and a company necessity letter before booking.
Source: AS.com (Agencias)
