Morocco boosts Tanger Med Port capacity amid regional turmoil

RABAT – Morocco is positioning Tanger Med Port as a critical global trade hub as escalating tensions in the Middle East force shipping companies to abandon traditional routes and divert vessels around Africa.

Idriss Aarabi, managing director of the port, said the facility is preparing for a surge in traffic as major carriers reroute ships away from the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandab Strait due to security risks and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Global shipping giants including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM have already confirmed diversions via the Cape of Good Hope.

The longer route is expected to add between 10 and 14 days to transit times for vessels heading to Tanger Med, Aarabi said, noting that the port is focusing on capacity management and preventing congestion as volumes increase.

“The full impact on cargo flows is not expected to be visible until mid-to-late April 2026,” he said, adding that no cancellations have been recorded so far.

The disruption to global maritime trade has been compounded by Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea since late 2023, while recent military escalation involving Iran has reinforced the shift away from traditional corridors.

Longer voyages are driving up operational costs, with higher fuel consumption pushing freight rates higher. Shipping companies have introduced war-risk and route deviation surcharges ranging from $1,500 to $3,300 per standard container, rising to $4,000 for specialised equipment.

The shift is also expected to benefit Africa’s bunkering sector, as vessels refuel along extended routes, while Atlantic-facing ports gain strategic importance in global logistics networks.

Against this backdrop, Tanger Med Port stands out for its ability to absorb shocks. Combining advanced technology with operational flexibility, the port is equipped to handle increased traffic without disruption.

It handled 11.1 million containers in 2025, an 8.4 percent rise year-on-year, and maintains connections with more than 180 ports worldwide, cementing its role as a key gateway between Africa, Europe and global markets.

Morocco’s strategy reflects a broader effort to adapt to shifting trade dynamics, leveraging infrastructure, innovation and logistics capacity to turn crisis into opportunity.

While rerouting presents logistical challenges, it is also accelerating the emergence of African ports as central nodes in global trade. With its modern systems and strong connectivity, Tanger Med Port is increasingly positioned not just as a regional hub, but as a pivotal player in the reconfiguration of global shipping routes.