Ceuta (Spanish Morocco)

Port Ceuta (Spanish Morocco) serves mainly ferries from mainland Spain (Algeciras). Together with Melilla, Ceuta is one of two Spanish cities in Africa (northwest African coast) classed as autonomous territories of Spain. The largest ferry companies serving Spanish Morocco are BALEARIA, TRASMEDITERRANEA, Naviera ARMAS, FRS Iberia.

Ceuta is a Mediterranean port city covering a total area of approx 19 km2 (7 ml2) and with population around 85,000. It borders with Morocco (to the west) and is separated from Europe (Iberian Peninsula) via Strait of Gibraltar.

Melilla and Ceuta were free ports before 2011, when Spain joined the EU. These are also Spain's low tax zones, historically free ports, oil ports, fishing ports and also military strongholds. Currenty, the city's economy depends heavily on the seaport, retail shopping, tax-free trade (with Morocco).

Morocco continues to claim both cities, plus Perejil Island and other African territories. Span's position is that Ceuta and Melilla are parts of Spain (not a colony), being established in the 15th century, before Morocco was founded as country (in 710 AD).

• The landscape is dominated by Monte Anyera (349 m / 1145 ft) along the western frontier with Morocco. Currently, the mountain is guarded by a military fort.
• Monte Hacho (on Almina Peninsula) overlooks Port Ceuta and is among the possible locations for southern Pillars of Hercules (Greek legend). The other possibility is Jebel Musa.
• Ceuta attracts large numbers of illegal immigrants from Africa who try to use it as entry point to Europe. As a result the enclave is now surrounded by double fences (6 m high).

Ceuta Heliport

The city is served by Ceuta Heliport linking it to Malaga (mainland Spain) since 1996. Ceuta's "airport" serves around 20,000 passengers annually (or approx 2600 flights).

• The heliport is in the seaport area, located between the cargo dock and the fishing port.
• The facility consists of 3 helipads, 1 runway, 2-storey terminal building,, power station, fire station.
• The helicopters used are AgustaWestland AW139 (twin-engined, max capacity 15 passengers). They are operated by the airline Helicopteros del Sureste (aka Helisureste) - a company based in Alicante Spain.
• The fly time to Malaga is 30 min.
• Since 2010, Ceuta Heliport is also linked with Algeciras Heliport (Cadiz Spain). The helicopter used is Bell 412 EP (twin-engined, capacity 14 pax) allowing flights to Ceuta with just 10-min fly time.

Ceuta cruise terminal