The unexpected boost that is propelling Moroccan ports

According to an analysis published by the University of Navarra, this race for maritime supremacy is currently tilting in the Kingdom’s favor. In 2024, Tanger Med will have handled 10.24 million containers (TEUs), more than double the volume managed by its major Andalusian rival, Algeciras (4.7 million).

This shift is explained by the high level of automation of the Moroccan terminals and the direct impact of the "green tax" imposed by the European Union. This environmental measure is pushing many shipping companies to unload their goods outside the Schengen area to avoid considerable additional costs.

Development is accelerating with the Nador West Med project, whose first phase should be operational between late 2026 and early 2027. Managed by Marsa Maroc and the French group CMA CGM, this future complex aims to eventually handle up to 5.5 million TEUs per year, thus directly competing with the current capacity of Algeciras.

While Spain maintains a comfortable lead in the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG), its shortcomings in terms of port modernization are a source of concern. Andalusian professionals are notably denouncing the paradox of partial financing of Nador West Med by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Beyond pure commercial competition, these mega-projects are part of a broader diplomatic vision. The strategic location of these hubs aims to position the country as the indispensable gateway for Africa and Latin America to Europe. This growing logistical grip around Ceuta and Melilla could, in the long run, economically asphyxiate these two enclaves or make them totally dependent on their immediate environment.