Passengers booked on the late-night FRS ferry from Motril (Granada) to the Spanish enclave of Melilla on 1 August were turned away unless they could prove Spanish nationality, residence in Melilla or an immediate family visit. Port and Guardia Civil sources told EFE that the last-minute order was triggered by the temporary closure of the Melilla–Morocco land crossing and concerns that travellers without proper documentation would be stranded on arrival. Several hundred mainly Moroccan passengers had already checked in when the announcement was made, leading to angry scenes at the terminal and claims of inadequate communication by the operator. The company offered free re-booking via Algeciras–Ceuta but many travellers faced a 300-kilometre detour. Although authorities stressed that the measure is ‘exceptional’, it highlights how maritime links integral to Operation Paso del Estrecho (the annual summer return of Maghrebi workers to North Africa) can be curtailed without notice when border dynamics shift. Logistics firms shipping perishables through Motril report delays and are rerouting via Valencia. For corporate mobility programmes the incident is a reminder to verify that assignees and dependants hold the correct residency or EU travel documents before boarding domestic ferries to Spain’s North-African territories. Travel managers should also monitor real-time port advisories and ensure flexible tickets that can be re-routed through alternative crossings. Local tourism bodies fear reputational damage just as Granada province enters its busiest holiday week, underlining the inter-dependence of immigration control decisions and regional economies.
Source: AS (Sociedad)
