Morocco’s Tanger Med prepares for traffic increase
Morocco’s Tanger Med port is focusing on managing capacity as shipping lines reroute vessels around Africa due to the Iran war, Reuters reported on March 30th.
The port is expecting a potential increase in ship calls as major carriers divert services via the Cape of Good Hope, according to its managing director, Idriss Aarabi.
Companies including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM have confirmed rerouting decisions in recent weeks.
The longer route is expected to add 10-14 days to transit times for vessels reaching Tanger Med.
Aarabi said the port is prioritising capacity management and preventing congestion as traffic patterns shift.
He added that the full impact on cargo is not expected until mid-to-late April 2026, as rerouted services begin to arrive. No cancellations have been reported so far.
The rerouting reflects wider disruption to maritime routes linking Europe and Asia. Ships have avoided the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since late 2023 due to security risks, leading to a decline in traffic through these routes.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israeli war on Iran has further shifted shipping routes.
Disruptions began after attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi movement since late 2023, prompting shipping companies to reassess routes through key maritime corridors.
Houthi rebels have launched attacks against international vessels since November 2023, reportedly in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.
Fighting involving Iran has increased pressure on these routes and has led to the increased use of longer alternatives around southern Africa, according to the Moroccan government-friendly Atalayar on April 2nd.
Longer voyages have increased shipping companies’ operating costs. Aarabi said higher fuel consumption has added pressure on freight rates.
Carriers have introduced additional surcharges, including war-risk and deviation fees ranging from $1,500 to $3,300 per standard container. Fees can rise to about $4,000 for specialised equipment.
He said the changes in shipping routes could benefit parts of Africa’s bunkering sector, as vessels require more fuel and services along longer routes.
Tanger Med, Africa’s largest container port, handled 11.1 million containers in 2025, up 8.4% from the previous year. The port has connections to more than 180 ports worldwide, linking shipping routes between Europe, Africa and Asia.
Reuters, Atalayar, Maghrebi.org
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