Tanger Med prepares a new expansion to strengthen its global transshipment position

Friday 21 August 2026 - 16:25

By: Azzat Manal

Tanger Med prepares a new expansion to strengthen its global transshipment position

Tanger Med is preparing a new western expansion aimed at increasing the port complex’s capacity and supporting the continued growth of container traffic. Preliminary procedures are already underway for infrastructure works involving the modification and extension of drainage channels as part of the preparations for the future development.

The planned expansion reflects Morocco’s continued investment in Tanger Med’s infrastructure as the port faces growing demand for container handling and transshipment services. Its strategic location at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar has helped transform it into a major link between European, African, Asian and American markets.

Tanger Med handled more than 11.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, representing an annual increase of 8.4%. The port exceeded the 11-million-container threshold for the first time, with the final phase of the expansion of Terminal 4 contributing significantly to the increase in activity.

The port also processed approximately 161 million tonnes of goods during the year, up 13.3% compared with 2024. It welcomed 16,686 vessels, including 1,319 large ships measuring more than 290 meters in length.

These figures have strengthened Tanger Med’s position as one of the leading ports in the Mediterranean and Africa. The complex is connected to more than 180 ports in around 70 countries, giving it an important role in international supply chains and global maritime trade.

Transshipment remains at the heart of Tanger Med’s business model. Its location between major commercial routes allows large vessels to call at the port and redistribute containers toward numerous destinations. The complex currently operates four container terminals managed by international operators, helping it attract major shipping lines.

Tanger Med has also developed beyond traditional port activities. The wider complex combines maritime infrastructure with logistics, industrial zones, road and rail connections, creating an integrated economic ecosystem around the port.

More than 1,500 companies operate within the broader Tanger Med ecosystem, covering sectors including automotive manufacturing, aerospace, textiles, food processing and logistics. This industrial dimension has strengthened the port’s contribution to Morocco’s export capacity and economic development.

The upcoming expansion is therefore more than a technical infrastructure project. It forms part of a longer-term strategy to increase Tanger Med’s ability to accommodate future growth in international trade while maintaining its position as a major transshipment and logistics hub connecting several continents.

As global supply chains continue to evolve, additional capacity and efficient infrastructure could further enhance Morocco’s role in international maritime commerce and strengthen Tanger Med’s competitiveness among major Mediterranean and African ports.