The Strait Crossing Operation (OPE) is gearing up for its thirty-seventh edition, set to commence on June 15. Projections indicate a 3% rise in the flow of passengers crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. If these estimates are confirmed by late September, they will surpass the figures from the previous edition, which recorded 3,488,885 passengers and 857,784 vehicles. Notably, in 2025, 73.6% of travelers used the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa, the closest to Africa.
The Provincial Steering Committee of the OPE recently convened in Algeciras to finalize the operational details, which will be activated on Monday, June 15. The meeting was chaired by Virginia Barcones, Secretary General of Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior, and Blanca Flores, Government Sub-delegate in Cádiz. Also participating was the Director General of Civil Protection and Emergencies, Benjamín Salvago, along with representatives from all involved organizations in this operation, considered the largest seasonal migratory movement between two continents.
The sub-delegate emphasized that "the Strait Crossing Operation presents a logistical and coordination challenge each year. Our objective is to ensure that millions of people can undertake their journey under the best conditions of safety, fluidity, and care, thereby reinforcing all coordination mechanisms between administrations and involved bodies." She also recalled the fundamental role of Algeciras and Tarifa, and affirmed that "the accumulated experience allows us to face this new edition with the utmost guarantees."
Representatives from the General Secretariat of Civil Protection and Emergencies, the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras, State Security Forces and Corps, Maritime Captaincy, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Provincial Traffic Headquarters, the State Road Demarcation, the Red Cross, the Andalusian Health Service, and the Provincial Firefighters Consortium, among other entities, participated in the meeting.
The 2026 OPE will run from June 15 to September 15. The peak influx periods anticipated for the departure phase are from July 31 to August 3, while the return phase will see its most critical days from August 28 to 31. The fleet plan will be established by the Directorate General of the Merchant Navy, in coordination with Moroccan authorities and shipping companies, defining the number of vessels, capacities, and rotations to ensure smooth operations.
The Guardia Civil and National Police are preparing personnel reinforcements for the expected increase in activity, particularly at border controls, traffic regulation, and port security. The Directorate General of Traffic will maintain the Border Information System (SIF) to monitor vehicle routes and anticipate their arrival at ports.
Among the new features for OPE 2026 is the implementation of a digital operational management system that will integrate real-time information on traffic, port operations, weather conditions, and incidents. Pre-travel information for passengers will be enhanced, and advance purchase of tickets will be encouraged to reduce waiting times.
This edition will be the first to be conducted with the implementation of the new European Entry and Exit System (EES), which will strengthen border control and improve traveler flow management. The State will bolster the operation with an approximate 10% increase in deployed personnel, mobilizing over 31,500 professionals and coordinating more than twenty public administration bodies.
