The Operation Crossing of the Strait 2026 has surpassed 640,000 passengers and 160,000 vehicles boarded during its first month of operation, from June 15 to July 15. The ports of Algeciras and Tarifa have concentrated the majority of the registered movement during this period, with 473,470 travelers and 116,951 vehicles between the two.
According to data released by the Ministry of the Interior, a total of 646,121 passengers and 160,698 vehicles have used the Spanish ports included in the operation during the first four weeks. Shipping companies have carried out 2,220 rotations to address the traffic generated by movements between Europe and North Africa.
Algeciras remains the port with the highest activity in the operation. By July 15, it has counted 357,590 passengers and 100,047 vehicles. Tarifa, for its part, has registered 115,880 travelers and 16,904 vehicles since the start of the operation.
Almería presents a number of passengers similar to that of Tarifa and adds 28,479 vehicles. The three ports concentrate more than 90% of the total traffic registered during the first month of the OPE.
In comparison with the same period of 2025, the number of passengers has decreased by 4.9%, while the volume of vehicles boarded has reduced by 4.4%. The rotations carried out by shipping companies have also decreased by 6.3%.
The maritime connections of the Campo de Gibraltar likewise lead the traffic by routes. The Algeciras-Tanger Med line has transported 250,504 passengers and 75,700 vehicles, placing it as the most used connection during this first month.
The Tarifa-Tanger Ville route takes second place, with 115,880 passengers and 16,904 vehicles. Following this is Algeciras-Ceuta, which has registered 107,086 travelers and 24,347 vehicles between June 15 and July 15.
The sum of these three connections confirms the weight of the ports of the Campo de Gibraltar within the Operation Crossing of the Strait, as they channel a large part of the movements of passengers and vehicles included in the national operation.
The 2026 edition is the first in which the European Union Entry and Exit System, known as EES, is applied mandatory. This procedure replaces the manual stamping of passports with a digital record of the biometric data of travelers from third countries.
The implementation of the system has required greater provision of resources and staff at the participating ports. During the first month, however, no significant incidents or important delays in boarding have occurred, according to information provided by the Ministry of the Interior.
The ministerial department attributes this evolution to the planning developed before the start of the operation and to the coordination among various Spanish agencies and Moroccan authorities.
The assistance services deployed at the ports have carried out a total of 386 health interventions and 2,993 social assistance cases during this period.
Tarifa accumulates 939 social assistance cases, the second highest figure among the participating ports, only behind Valencia. The Tarifa port has also recorded 57 health assistance cases during the first four weeks.
Almería presents the highest number of health interventions in the operation, with 247 actions. The services deployed at the different port facilities assist travelers during transit and provide support for medical or social needs.
The Operation Crossing of the Strait 2026 is coordinated by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection and Emergencies. The operation involves the State Security Forces and Corps, port authorities, health services, Red Cross, and other administrations and institutions.
The Ministry of the Interior advises travelers to plan their movements, go to the port with a confirmed ticket, and check documentation before starting their journey. These measures are aimed at reducing waits during days with higher traffic concentration.
The operation will remain active until September 15. During this period, coordination among participating agencies will continue to manage the planned outbound and return movements at ports included in the OPE.