\n Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are prompting countries to reassess global trade routes and explore new pathways to reduce exposure to potential disruptions.\n <\/p>\n
\n The urgency has increased amid warnings that any prolonged disruption to flows through the strait could significantly constrain global oil supply and drive prices sharply higher, with some projections suggesting crude could rise to as much as $200 per barrel.\n <\/p>\n
\n Attention is increasingly turning to the Strait of Gibraltar as a strategic route capable of supporting additional trade and logistics flows.\n <\/p>\n
\n A February report by Indian Defence Review said the nuclear-powered USS Gerald R. Ford activated its public tracking beacon while sailing toward the strait, an unusual step for a vessel on operational deployment.\n <\/p>\n
\n Tracking data showed the carrier approaching the Mediterranean gateway, highlighting the corridor\u2019s strategic importance.\n <\/p>\n
Strategic importance of the Gibraltar corridor<\/p>\n
\n The Strait of Gibraltar remains the only natural link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and is among the busiest maritime routes globally, with about 300 vessels crossing daily.\n <\/p>\n
\n Before the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, it served as the sole oceanic access point to the Mediterranean.\n <\/p>\n
\n The planned tunnel would consist of two rail tubes carrying both passengers and freight, with a journey time of about 30 minutes.\n <\/p>\n
\n Cost estimates vary, with total project costs ranging between \u20ac15 billion and \u20ac20 billion, while Spain\u2019s share alone is estimated at more than \u20ac8.5 billion.\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Project details and next steps<\/p>\n
\n The proposed subsea rail tunnel linking northern Morocco and southern Spain has been under consideration since a 1979 agreement signed in Fez, with progress uneven over the years.\n <\/p>\n
\n A Spanish government-commissioned study by German engineering firm Herrenknecht found the project technically feasible using current technology, according to Kursiv Uzbekistan.\n <\/p>\n
\n Spanish consultancy Ineco is now preparing a detailed blueprint, with approval potentially as early as 2027.\n <\/p>\n
\n The project, overseen by Spain\u2019s SECEGSA and Morocco\u2019s SNED, is expected to span about 42 kilometres, including roughly 27 kilometres underwater, linking Punta Paloma in Cadiz to Cape Malabata near Tangier.\n <\/p>\n
Trade and logistics implications<\/p>\n
\n The project could position North Africa as a logistics hub linking African production centres directly to European markets, while reducing reliance on vulnerable maritime routes.\n <\/p>\n
\n It also aligns with broader efforts to strengthen trade under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.\n <\/p>\n
Engineering and geological challenges<\/p>\n
\n Despite its strategic appeal, the project faces significant engineering challenges. Plans for a bridge were abandoned in 1996 due to extreme conditions in the Strait of Gibraltar, where depths reach up to 900 metres and maritime traffic is heavy.\n <\/p>\n
\n Current plans focus on a deep rail tunnel routed through the Camarinal Sill, with depths of about 475 metres below sea level.\n <\/p>\n
\n Engineers are expected to contend with unstable geological formations, including rock and clay layers, as well as seismic risks linked to the Azores\u2013Gibraltar fault line.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cThese conditions require a structure that can withstand both high pressure and seismic movement over decades,\u201d a project engineer familiar with the studies said.\n <\/p>\n
\n If completed, the tunnel would allow passenger and freight travel between Africa and Europe in about 30 minutes by rail, a development expected to reduce transit times and strengthen Africa\u2019s position in global supply chains.\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are prompting countries to reassess global trade routes and explore new…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":358173,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[138,219,111,139,69],"class_list":{"0":"post-358172","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-economy","8":"tag-business","9":"tag-economy","10":"tag-new-zealand","11":"tag-newzealand","12":"tag-nz"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=358172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/358172\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/358173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=358172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=358172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=358172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}