The new Motril Port/North Africa shipping link hits a hitch after only one week, thanks to a lack of customs officials (inspectores).

At the moment, Motril Port relies on staff sent over from Malaga Port but the trouble is, they are only available Monday to Friday, meaning that over the weekend, Motril Port does not have enough customs staff.

Because of this administrative deficit, the new shipping company has suspended their weekend connections, putting the whole operation into doubt.

So, who is responsible? Basically the Central Government in Madrid, who govern all border controls, which is why the Mancomunidad de Costa Tropical has called on Madrid to provide Motril Port with permanent customs staff.

Motril Port seems to be constantly hampered by Madrid – recently it has been a public subvention for ferry companies operating out of Málaga and Almería, but denied to Motril. Motril only wants a level playing field; i.e., everybody gets the same ‘help’ or nobody gets it.

Let’s see what happens, then, over this customs-staff shortage.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)