Tanger Med Port Breaks into Top 20 Container Hubs Worldwide

Thursday 28 March 2024 - 10:15

Tanger Med, the Moroccan port, has achieved a remarkable milestone by breaking into the top 20 busiest container ports globally, as per a recent ranking by maritime analysis firm Alphaliner. This accomplishment marks Tanger Med as the first African port to attain such prestigious recognition.

Surpassing earlier projections set for 2027, Tanger Med exceeded expectations in 2023, outpacing established ports such as New York (ranked 21st) and Hamburg (22nd). Presently, it stands behind European powerhouses like Rotterdam (13th) and Antwerp/Bruges (15th), with no Spanish port securing a spot within the top 20.

Driving this success, Tanger Med witnessed the second-highest annual increase (+13.4%) among the top 20 ports in 2023, trailing only China's Qingdao (16.9%). Boasting four dedicated container terminals with a combined capacity of 9 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), the port handled a staggering 8.6 million TEUs in 2023. This signifies a remarkable 95% utilization rate, surpassing projections by four years.

The port's strong performance, notably at terminals operated by Maersk-APM and Tanger Alliance, combined with record monthly handling peaks exceeding 800,000 TEUs, fueled this growth. Moreover, the port witnessed a 17% increase in vessel traffic compared to 2022, with a notable 16% rise in mega-vessels (exceeding 290 meters) docking at the port. Notably, Tanger Med accommodated 1,113 mega-vessels, indicating a growing preference for its facilities among shipping companies.

Beyond its individual achievements, Tanger Med's success has had a ripple effect across Morocco's maritime landscape. The country experienced a commendable 7.4% rise in total port traffic in 2023, with Tanger Med serving as the linchpin of this growth.

As Morocco's premier logistics platform, Tanger Med continues to bolster its transshipment activities, solidifying its status as a linchpin in the Mediterranean basin's maritime network. The port's robust performance in container transshipment and hydrocarbon handling underscores its pivotal role in regional and global trade dynamics.