Tanger Med: Roof-top cargo banned for commercial vehicles

The measure came into effect on December 1st and exclusively targets professionals. Any commercial utility vehicle transporting additional luggage on its upper part is now prohibited from passing through. However, this rule does not concern individuals, particularly Moroccans residing abroad who are returning for the holidays or festivities, who retain their usual rights.

This distinction does not appease the anger of thousands of professionals in the sector, who consider the decision unfair and arbitrary. They argue that international laws allow the use of the roof as long as the total weight respects the technical limits of the vehicle. They also recall that they are already subject to frequent checks on European roads before arriving in Morocco.

On the administrative side, the justification is security and logistics. The authorities explain that these elevated loads create disorganization and slow down control procedures. The safety of agents and assistants is the priority: serious accidents have been recorded among handlers, making it difficult to recruit staff to unload these elevated cargoes. This ban is part of a broader movement to reform the management of the port, aimed at streamlining import-export operations.