Tunnel between Africa and Europe becomes increasingly realistic

©Alejandro Martin via Unsplash

A new feasibility study has shown that a tunnel between Spain and Morocco is not impossible after all. Will the continents of Africa and Europe soon be connected via a tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar?

A new feasibility study by German tunneling company Herrenknecht shows that a tunnel between Spain and Morocco is technically feasible. But there are serious obstacles. The proposed route connects Punta Paloma near Tarifa in Spain with Punta Malabata near Tangier in Morocco. It would cover a total length of 38.7 kilometers, including 27.7 kilometers below sea level, to a maximum depth of 475 meters.

Train ride between Africa and Europe

The tunnel would reduce travel time between the two continents to just 30 minutes by train. That would be a huge move forward since it now takes the current ferry connections several hours. Herrenknecht has a lot of experience and is a world leader in tunnel boring technology and worked, for example, on projects such as the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

Yet regarding the tunnel between Morocco and Spain, the German company does point to seismic risks due to the proximity of the Strait of Gibraltar and geological complexity. However, experts also warn of a peppery cost of at least 10 billion euros and a likely construction time of 10 to 15 years.

The dream project has been on the table since the 1980s, but is now getting new oxygen through this hopeful study. Spain and Morocco are exploring further steps. For example, possible funding from EU sustainable mobility funds could give the project new momentum.

©Alejandro Martin via Unsplash