The Government Delegation, together with the State Security Forces and the Port Authorities of Valencia and Alicante, is deploying a broad range of measures today to ensure the smooth and normal operation of Operation Crossing the Strait (OPE), which runs from today until September 15th. Thousands of citizens of Maghreb origin will travel across Spain to and from their countries of origin during the summer.
VALENCIA. Government Delegate Pilar Bernabé indicated that the 2024 OPE includes “a comprehensive security system that will ensure maximum fluidity in boarding and a health and social assistance system to meet the needs of citizens in transit.”
Bernabé added that this operation “has a very important impact on the Valencian Community through the ports of Valencia and, especially, Alicante, as it hosts 3% of national journeys.” During the 2023 OPE, more than 64,300 passengers and 15,730 vehicles crossed the strait between Alicante and Africa during the three months of the operation; while 30,000 people and nearly 8,000 vehicles crossed from the port of Valencia.
The delegate added that it is “an operation we are familiar with, as it is repeated every year, and all the State’s mechanisms are in place to ensure that this 2024 OPE is smooth and does not have a significant impact on traffic on the roads it runs through or in the ports.”
Bernabé noted that for months “we have been working with the General Directorate of Civil Protection of the Ministry of the Interior and the DGT (General Directorate of Civil Protection) to ensure the smooth operation of all the services provided.” In addition, rest areas will be set up in the Marina with translators and advice from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Plan also establishes the dates expected to be critical due to the massive influx of vehicles and passengers, both in the Departure Phase, between June 13 and August 15, and in the Return Phase, from July 15 to September 15. In this edition, the days marked as critical will be concentrated between June 14 and 16; between August 1 and 5; and between August 30 and September 1.