Tanger Med strengthens its position as a global trade and logistics hub

Saturday 08 August 2026 - 10:48

By: Azzat Manal

Tanger Med strengthens its position as a global trade and logistics hub

Morocco's Tanger Med port complex continues to expand its role in international trade after recording another year of strong activity in 2025. Located near the Strait of Gibraltar, the facility has become an important link between maritime routes connecting Europe, Africa and other major global markets.

According to the port's annual activity figures, its four container terminals handled 11,106,164 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025, representing an increase of 8.4% compared with the previous year. The result allowed Tanger Med to cross the 11-million-container threshold for the first time.

The growth was supported by the expansion and commissioning of the TC4 container terminal, alongside improvements in operational efficiency and infrastructure. The development has increased the port's ability to accommodate growing shipping volumes and respond to the needs of international logistics operators.

Overall cargo activity also recorded significant growth. Tanger Med handled approximately 161 million tonnes of goods during 2025, up 13.3% year on year. Road freight traffic reached 535,203 international transport units, an increase of 3.6%, highlighting the port's importance to Moroccan exports and imports.

Passenger and vehicle traffic also increased during the year. More than 3.2 million passengers passed through the complex, while around 895,000 vehicles were handled. Passenger traffic rose by 5.7%, while vehicle movements increased by 5%.

The port's performance is supported not only by its strategic location close to one of the world's busiest maritime passages but also by continued investment in terminals, equipment and logistics infrastructure. Improvements in vessel handling and operational organization have helped strengthen the efficiency of the complex.

Tanger Med had already passed the 10-million-TEU mark in 2024, when it handled 10,241,392 containers, representing an 18.8% increase from 2023. The continued expansion of its container capacity has further strengthened its ability to serve major shipping networks.

Beyond its role as a maritime gateway, Tanger Med has developed into a broader logistics and industrial platform. Its surrounding industrial and logistics zones support manufacturing, exports, distribution and re-export activities, helping connect Moroccan companies with international supply chains.

The port's development is also part of Morocco's wider strategy to strengthen its maritime infrastructure and position the country as a bridge between European and African markets. Investment in port facilities, industrial zones and transport connections is expected to remain an important component of this strategy.

With cargo volumes continuing to rise, Tanger Med is consolidating its position among the major logistics platforms in the Mediterranean and Africa. Its expansion illustrates Morocco's growing role in international supply chains and its ambition to become a leading commercial gateway between Europe, Africa and global markets.