A massive subaquatic tunnel that would connect Europe and Africa may soon become a reality following a significant development. The ambitious project, involving the construction of a tunnel beneath the Strait of Gibraltar, has been revitalized by Spain after being considered by various governments over the years. Scientists now confirm the technical feasibility of this engineering marvel.
A recent study, commissioned by the Spanish Government and conducted by German tunnel experts Herrenknecht, has determined that building a railway tunnel under the Strait using current technology is achievable. Subsequently, the Spanish consultancy firm Ineco has been assigned to draft a project blueprint by the end of next year, with expectations for government approval as early as 2027.
The idea of establishing a man-made connection between Europe and Africa emerged in the 1970s and has resurfaced sporadically in political campaigns and government agendas. However, concrete steps had not been taken until now. Initial proposals, such as the formation of a joint Spain-Morocco committee in 1979 to evaluate the plan’s feasibility, did not progress.
The proposed tunnel would be constructed beneath the nine-mile expanse of water separating southern Spain from Morocco, drawing inspiration from the Eurotunnel that links Britain to northern France under the English Channel. The project, managed by the Spanish Society for Studies on Fixed Communication across the Strait of Gibraltar (Secegsa) under the Ministry of Transport, focuses on the technical challenges, especially under the complex geological conditions of the Camarinal Threshold.
The estimated cost of the project stands at €8.5 billion (£7.4 billion), with plans for two separate railway tunnels facilitating train travel in both directions, connecting Punta Paloma in Cadiz to Cape Malabata in Morocco near Tangier. The total length of the tunnel is approximately 26 miles, with nearly 17 miles passing underwater, enabling a 30-minute train journey upon completion, accommodating passengers on high-speed AVE trains and freight.
The project, anticipated to reach a depth of 1,540 feet, faces significant technical hurdles due to its location at the convergence of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates along the Azores-Gibraltar fault line. Fieldwork is expected to start in 2030, with the main construction phase slated between 2035 and 2040, although these timelines are subject to change.
While initial plans aimed for completion by 2030 to coincide with the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, experts now deem this timeline impractical given the project’s complexity and early stage of studies. The selected route from Punta Paloma to Cape Malabata comes after the dismissal of various proposals over the years, including an initial concept for a suspension bridge deemed unviable due to the depth, seismic activity, and extreme wind conditions in the Strait.
The project is a collaborative effort between SECEGSA and SNED (National Society for Strait Studies) from Spain and Morocco, respectively, striving to establish a reliable rail connection for passengers and freight between Europe and North Africa.
