Today marks the start of Operation Paso del Estrecho 2024, a seasonal campaign running until September 15 that sees thousands of Maghrebi-origin residents traveling from Spain back to their home countries during the summer window. The Government Delegate for the region emphasized that the OPE in the Valencian Community carries substantial weight, representing around 3 percent of all crossings. The main effect is felt at the Port of Alicante, which is the focus of preparations led in recent months by the Alicante Sub-delegation with support from the Valencia sub-delegation as well.
In 2023, a total of 64,386 passengers and 15,735 vehicles crossed the strait between Alicante and Africa during the three months of operation. The trend over recent years points to a noticeable increase in vehicle traffic along with growing passenger movements.
Over the past months, coordinated efforts have been carried out with Civil Protection and the civil protection directorate at the Ministry of the Interior to ensure safety and efficiency of services around the Port of Alicante. This collaboration also involves the Guardia Civil, the National Police, and other agencies, along with organizations such as the Red Cross.
The Government Delegate also noted a rise in road traffic across the Valencian Community and affirmed that teams from the DGT and Civil Guard are ready, thanks to extensive planning conducted in the preceding months.
During the OPE 2024 coordination meeting held on May 27, the Sub-delegation presented a plan developed by Civil Protection. The plan aims to organize and optimize the resources and capabilities of each agency taking part in the operation.
Representatives from the Government Sub-delegation, the National Police, the Guardia Civil, the Provincial Traffic Authority, the Levante Traffic Management Center, the Road Units, Valencia regional emergency technicians, and the Red Cross joined the session. A representative from ENMTV, the shipping line that operates routes with Algeria from the Port of Alicante, also attended.
The plan establishes objectives, a schedule, information systems, operational procedures, and special measures to implement across normal, pre-emergency, and emergency phases. It also outlines leadership, coordination, and the working groups involved within each agency’s remit.
As in previous years, the plan includes resting areas at the marina with translators and advisory services from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., running from June 14 to August 6. From July 1 to August 15, the Red Cross Youth will operate a children’s activity center to support younger travelers. The Civil Protection and Emergencies Directorate recommends travelers from North Africa plan their trips carefully to reduce crowding at embarkation ports. The aim is to manage passenger and vehicle arrivals in a controlled way during OPE 2024, with travelers urged to arrive at the port with tickets secured well in advance.