Morocco Tanger Med Port Prepares for Traffic Growth
Tanger Med port expects more traffic as ships reroute around Africa due to regional conflict. Full cargo impacts are anticipated by late April 2026.
Tanger Med, the largest container port in Africa located in Morocco, is preparing for a significant increase in vessel calls as escalating Middle East tensions force shipping lines to reroute services around the continent. Major container carriers, including Hapag-Lloyd AG, Maersk, and CMA CGM, have announced this month that they are diverting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea.
Idriss Aarabi, the managing director of Tanger Med, explained that the shift in maritime traffic significantly extends transit times.
Rerouting would add an additional 10 to 14 days of transit time for vessels diverted via the Cape of Good Hope to reach Tanger Med.
The port, situated in northern Morocco on the Strait of Gibraltar, is currently focusing on capacity management and the prevention of congestion. While no cancellations have been reported at this stage, Aarabi noted that the full impact on cargo flows is not expected to be visible until mid-to-late April 2026. This logistical shift follows a period of instability that began in late 2023 with Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping.
Regional tensions have escalated further following military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, as well as the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. These developments have led to expectations that the African bunkering sector may see increased demand due to the prolonged instability.
Aarabi also highlighted the financial burden of these longer voyages, noting that higher fuel costs have placed additional pressure on freight rates. In response, carriers have introduced various surcharges, including war-risk, emergency conflict, and deviation fees. These charges typically range between $1,500 and $3,300 per standard container, though fees for specialized equipment can reach up to $4,000.
Despite these global challenges, Tanger Med continues to lead the region in volume. In 2025, the port handled 11.1 million containers, an 8.4% increase from the previous year, maintaining its position ahead of Mediterranean peers. The facility currently provides route connections to more than 180 ports globally.
