During the annual Operation Passage of the Strait (Marhaba), hundreds of thousands of Moroccans living in Europe drive to Spanish ports to board ferries to Morocco. This year, approximately 800,000 vehicles are expected to cross Spain as part of this operation, according to Spanish authorities.
Many of these cars are packed to the roof with luggage, gifts, and household items. Despite the seemingly excessive load, these vehicles are considered legal under current regulations. Spanish traffic authorities have clarified that the loading rules for passenger vehicles allow for a certain amount of overloading, provided the vehicle's maximum authorized mass (MAM) is not exceeded.
The operation, which runs from June to September, sees a massive influx of Moroccan expatriates (MREs) traveling to their home country for summer vacations. Spanish ports like Algeciras and Tarifa handle the bulk of the traffic, with ferry companies adding extra departures to accommodate the demand.
Authorities emphasize that while the cars may look overloaded, they are not necessarily breaking the law. However, they remind drivers that safety should always come first, and that overloading beyond legal limits can lead to fines and risks on the road.
