The Central Government Delegate for Melilla, Sabrina Moh, wants to modify the Motril Port ferry schedule, swapping the Motril and Almería sailing days.

Madrid subsidises certain ferry routes, considering them of public interest. Until recently, Málaga, Algeciras and Almería used to enjoy these subsidies and Motril was passed over, despite it being the shortest sea route to the Spanish enclave town of Melilla.

Motril Port was finally included and the latest shipping contract came into effect in January this year. The contract or lease, entitled Lot 2, was for two years, renewable for another two.

The lease was awarded to the Armas Shipping Company, and the State established that connections would be with Almería on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and with Motril on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

However, with the system in full swing and everybody happy with it, Delegate Moh decided to swap things around with Motril.  The Melilla ferry will connect with Almería on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays (with the occasional additional Saturday connection that already exists for holiday periods) and Motril will retain its ferries on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays only.

She justified this by stating that freight grew by 3,200 tons in 2025 and passenger numbers having fallen, with 2,096 fewer passengers. Therefore, she concludes, the loss of passengers is due to the sailing days not being adequate for passenger needs. She goes on to claim that citizen platforms in Melilla are expressing complaints about the system.

The Chairman of Motril Port Authority, José García Fuentes, however, says that, “The line has been operating well since January; it is growing, and we will have to consider whether modifying the contract is legal once it [the new arrangement] is operational.”

Port Chairman García also points out that the weekend service to Motril is vital for the Granada university community. It would also cause a loss in tourism for the province of Granada: “With all due respect to the neighbouring province, the tourism significance of the province of Granada is unparalleled,” he says.

Even Melilla Port Authorities are against the sudden change. Chairman Manuel Ángel Quevedo, criticises this “unilateral decision [which is] quite radical” made by the Central Government delegate.

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

Keywords: Ferry Route, Motril Port, Melilla Port, Armas Shipping Company, Almería Port

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