Morocco has emerged as a leading global maritime hub through Tanger Med port’s exceptional performance amid shifting international trade routes and geopolitical tensions. The facility ranks fifth worldwide in 2024’s Container Port Performance Index with a score of 135.8, dominating the African continent while competing among the world’s elite ports.
According to UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport 2025 and the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index, maritime transport handling over 80% of global trade experiences significant volatility. Red Sea conflicts, pandemic disruptions, and energy transitions have extended shipping routes, increased costs, and transformed commercial patterns, yet strategic ports like Tanger Med continue thriving.
African maritime connectivity has grown 10% between June 2024 and June 2025, directly benefiting ports positioned along the alternative Cape of Good Hope route, including Tanger Med. The Red Sea conflict extended shipping distances and increased tonne-mile volumes by 6.1% in 2024, far exceeding physical volume growth of 2.2%, creating opportunities for strategically located African ports.
Tanger Med captures growing transhipment traffic between Asia and Europe, consolidating its role as a major logistic hub. The port’s success stems from massive infrastructure investments, digitalization initiatives, integrated logistic zones, and digital single-window systems. The World Bank emphasizes these factors—operational efficiency, partnerships with global operators, and customs coordination—as crucial for improving port competitiveness, particularly in developing countries.
Despite achievements, Morocco must anticipate energy transition challenges. UNCTAD warns about maritime transport decarbonization needs, with only 8% of global fleet currently using alternative fuels. Tanger Med requires development of LNG or hydrogen refueling infrastructure while promoting just transitions for workers, including increased female participation in handling operations, currently below 2%.
Other developing world ports including Dakar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mersin, Port Said, and Posorja have improved efficiency through automation, international partnerships, and 24/7 operations, demonstrating transformation possibilities through structural reforms.