Strait of Gibraltar

The 14 kilometer strait linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and its giant bunker fuel ports.

Overview

The only sea exit from the Mediterranean is a two-layer exchange, Atlantic water in at the surface and saltier Mediterranean water out below, which complicated sailing for centuries. Tens of thousands of vessels transit yearly, and Algeciras and Gibraltar rank among the world's largest bunker fuel hubs because ships refuel in the strait rather than deviate. Britain has held the Rock since 1704 while Spain maintains its claim. The Algeciras-Tangier ferries run one of Europe's busiest short-sea passenger crossings, and whale watching shares the traffic lanes with warships of half the world's navies.