Africa Morocco Link

Africa Morocco Link (AML) is a ferry company based in Morocco, founded in 2016. It operates maritime connections between Morocco and Spain, with regular crossings between the ports of Tanger Med and Algeciras, and between Tanger Ville and Tarifa.^[1]

Africa Morocco Link

Company type	SARL
Founded	2016
Headquarters	Tangier, Morocco
Area served	Strait of Gibraltar
Services	Passenger transportation Freight transportation
Owner	CTM (51%) Stena Line (49%)
Website	aml.ma

History

AML began operations on 17 June 2016 with the launch of the Tanger Med – Algeciras line. The inaugural departure took place from the port of Algeciras and was operated by the vessel Diagoras.^[2]

On 8 April 2024, the Swedish group Stena Line acquired the 49% stake held by Attica Group in AML.^[3]

On 4 June 2024, AML inaugurated a new route between Tangier Ville and Tarifa. The first departure took place at 9 a.m. from Tangier Ville and was operated by the vessel Morocco Express 1.^[4][5]

Ownership

Initially, AML's capital was majority owned by the Bank of Africa^[6] and minority owned by Greek maritime operator Attica Group.^[7]

In 2021, Bank of Africa sold its 51% stake to CTM, both of which are part of the Moroccan holding company O Capital Group.^[8] A few days later, Attica Group sold its 49% stake to Swedish ferry operator Stena Line.^[3]

Routes

• Tanger Med – Algeciras (launched on 17 June 2016)^[2]
• Tanger Ville – Tarifa (launched on 4 June 2024)^[9]
• Nador – Almería (15 October 2017 – 26 December 2017)^[10]

Fleet

Current fleet

Ship	IMO	Built	Entered service	Length	Passengers	Speed	Flag	Route	Notes	Photo
Morocco Star	7803190	1980	2017[11]	152.2 m	935	22 kn	Morocco	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Formerly named Prince Joachim.
Morocco Sun	7719430	1980	2019[12]	129.65 m	1,000	19 kn	Morocco	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Formerly Le Rif.
Stena Europe[13]	7901760	1981	Summer 2024[3]	174 m	1,400	19 kn	Cyprus	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Chartered for the 2024 Marhaba campaign.
Morocco Express 1	9216171	2000	31 May 2024[14]	72 m	680	34 kn	Cyprus	Tangier Ville – Tarifa	Formerly Boraq (Intershipping). Acquired via auction in 2023.
HSC Maria Dolores	9333448	2006	June 2024[1]	68.4 m	600	35 kn	Malta	Tangier Ville – Tarifa	Chartered to replace Caldera Vista.

Former fleet

Ship	IMO	Built	Entered service	Left fleet	Route	Notes
El Venizelos	7907673	1984	2016	2016	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Chartered for summer 2016 Marhaba campaign.
Aylah	9097331	2009	2016 & 2017	2017	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Chartered for summer operations.
Queen Nefertiti	9130925	1997	2017	2017	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Chartered for summer 2017.
Diagoras	8916126	1990	2016	2017	Tanger Med – Algeciras / Nador – Almería	Operated during the first year of AML.
Galaxy	7516773	1979	2018	2018	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Chartered for summer 2018.
Nissos Chios	9215555	2007	2019	2019	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Temporary replacement of Morocco Star.
Amman	9079999	1995	2019	2019	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Chartered for summer 2019.
Caldera Vista	8900012	1991	2024	2024	Tangier Ville – Tarifa	Withdrawn due to ramp incompatibility.
Hellenic Highspeed	9141845	1997	2022, 2023 & 2024	2024	Tanger Med – Algeciras	Chartered for three Marhaba seasons.