The Spanish Council of Ministers has authorised the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility to tender for a €78.7 mill new contract to provide ferry services between Melilla and Malaga, Motril and Almeria.
This is aimed at guaranteeing Melilla’s connectivity with the Iberian Peninsula.
The contract, which is due to come into force this month, has an initial duration of two years, extendable for another two. The deal to operate the lines was offered in two lots:
- 1) Melilla/Malaga/Melilla line, whose base tender price is €10.44 mill per year.
- 2) Melilla/Almeria/ Melilla and Melilla/Motril/Melilla lines, which are tendered for €9.234 mill per year.
The specifications were aimed at establishing at least six weekly rotations on the Málaga/Melilla route and three weekly rotations on the Almeria and Motril lines, which can be extended during holiday periods or other periods of high demand.
The tenders’ terms include outlining the reduction of the fleet’s environmental impact and its energy efficiency, and, in addition, the younger age of the ships, reduction of tariffs, greater cabin capacity and additional rotations should be proposed in the tenders.
In each lot, at least one ropax with a minimum capacity of 450 pax seats must be attached, of which 200 will be in beds located in cabins, and another 250 spaces for vehicles; the greater cabin seats offer would be seen as an improvement.
Quality and the service offered must also be highlighted, while all of the ships must have medical service on board, private security, pet space, quiet space, care and activities for children and internet service with free Wi-Fi throughout the trip.
Remaining in Spain, Baleària has expanded its connections to Algeria with a new service between Valencia and Oran, which started on 18th December.
The Spanish ferry operator now has three weekly sailings to Algeria, which is soon to become four with the opening of a Barcelona/Algiers route, which was due to start on 15th January.
