Briefing
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior announced on 22 September 2026 that administrative procedures had begun to strengthen the maritime border at El Tarajal in Ceuta. A two-stage measure is planned: extending the local Espigón by around 100 to 115 metres and installing a permanent buoying and underwater barrier system to replace the temporary floating barrier installed in August. The ministry gives a total budget of €9 million for the project (€7 million for extending the Espigón and €2 million for the buoying system).
The Interior Ministry cites the mass crossings of the sea border on 30 and 31 July 2026 as the immediate context, when tens of thousands of people crossed the border into Ceuta. According to the government, the permanent line of buoys is intended to clearly mark the maritime border; the planned underwater component aims to make direct crossings near the coast more difficult. Technical details, approval deadlines and environmental assessments remain outstanding: the work requires environmental impact assessments, nautical reports and public procurement procedures, so the interior minister gave no specific completion date.
The measure is part of a series of projects to strengthen border infrastructure in Ceuta proposed by the Interior Ministry after the crisis. On the ground, Guardia Civil and Policía Nacional are responsible for operational control on land and at sea; the government stresses the need for bilateral coordination with Morocco on returns and search and rescue work. Opposition parties and human rights organisations have criticised the plans, pointing to possible restrictions on protection rights at sea and ecological impacts on Ceuta Bay. Experts argue that technical barriers should always be accompanied by clear procedures for asylum seekers and monitoring of environmental effects.
The Interior Ministry describes the project as a step towards making the maritime border more legally secure and easing the burden on operational staff. The statement of 22 September 2026 leaves open whether the work will be completed before summer 2027.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).