What was the Mons Calpe ferry, and why is an estate named after it?
Short answer
The MV Mons Calpe was a car, cargo and passenger ferry introduced by MH Bland in 1954 on the Gibraltar to Tangier route, and it became Gibraltar's lifeline after Spain closed the frontier in 1969. The Mons Calpe Mews affordable housing estate is named after it in recognition of that role.
Detailed answer
The MV Mons Calpe was a purpose-built vessel introduced in 1954 by MH Bland to carry cars, goods and passengers between Gibraltar and Tangier in Morocco. It sailed for the Bland Line, whose operations were directed by John G Gaggero.
Its importance grew after Spain closed the land frontier with Gibraltar on Sunday 8 June 1969. With the land route shut, the Mons Calpe brought in essential supplies from Morocco, including oxygen for the hospital and fresh fruit and vegetables. The Government of Gibraltar has described the ship as Gibraltar's umbilical cord during those years. Together with the Gibraltar Airways flights, it was one of the two ways of travelling between Gibraltar and Morocco while the frontier was closed. The frontier was not fully reopened until 1985.
Mons Calpe Mews is an affordable co-ownership housing estate built by the Government of Gibraltar on the site of the old Coach Park, close to Watergardens. It was launched in February 2014 alongside Beach View Terraces, the two schemes together offering around 900 homes for sale.
The estate takes its name from the ferry in recognition of the lifeline it provided. On Thursday 1 June 2017, the Minister for Housing, Samantha Sacramento, unveiled commemorative plaques at each block. The idea came from Mandy Gaggero of MH Bland. Each block is named after another vessel that worked in the port of Gibraltar: Mons Abyla, Express, Seagull and Basha from the MH Bland fleet, Seamaster from Tarik Ship Agents and Viking from Wilhelmsen Ships Services. The plaques, donated by those three companies, show each vessel's silhouette with a short history. A further plaque depicting the Mons Calpe stands at the estate's main entrance.
For the background to the closure, see the FAQ on why the border with Spain was closed from 1969 to 1985. For today's sea links, see the FAQ on whether there is still a ferry from Gibraltar to Morocco.