The Tarifa/Cádiz-based ro-ro & ferry line will introduce the refurbished ro-pax Golden Bridge on the service in question as of May.

The 186 m-long and 24 m-wide ferry will offer room for up to 1,500 passengers (across 130 cabins) and space for 500 vehicles.

She'll cross the Melilla-Motril stretch in five hours, down by two hours compared to the current crossing time.

"We have listened to the requests of the people of Melilla and we are going to operate a vessel that meets the needs of this route. As we say, we set out to gain the confidence of the Melilla's people with facts," Ronny Moriana, Managing Director, FRS Iberia, commented.

He also underlined, "We are also grateful for the efforts and collaboration that the Melilla and Motril Port Authorities have shown us throughout this whole complex process of introducing a new vessel."