Tanger Med outpaces Spanish ports in Global competitiveness

Sunday 02 November 2025 - 14:40

By: Sahili Aya

Tanger Med outpaces Spanish ports in Global competitiveness

Morocco’s Tanger Med Port continues to strengthen its position as a leading global logistics hub, outpacing major Spanish ports such as Valencia and Barcelona. Spanish shipping magnate Vicente Boluda, president of Boluda Corporación Marítima, has acknowledged that Spain is losing the logistics race to its southern neighbor due to Morocco’s competitive tax policies and business-friendly environment.

Speaking at a geopolitical forum in Valencia organized by the cooperative banking group Cajamar, Boluda praised the Moroccan model, describing Tanger Med as “a difficult competitor to catch up with.” He noted that the port’s success lies not only in its scale and infrastructure but in its efficient fiscal and administrative ecosystem.

“Tanger Med has an enormous zone around the port with highly competitive taxation. That’s what drives major companies to settle there,” he said, warning that Spain risks “losing the battle” unless it acts swiftly.

A recognized model of efficiency

Boluda emphasized that Morocco has created a favorable climate for industrial and logistics investment, while Spain continues to struggle with bureaucracy and high social costs. “We have an excellent geographical position, but that is not enough. Trade requires incentives,” he explained.

He urged the Spanish government to rethink its fiscal and labor policies, advocating for lower taxes and reduced employment costs. Without such reforms, he warned, international firms will keep shifting toward Tanger Med, now a crucial gateway between Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Morocco’s growing influence

Boluda’s remarks, widely reported in Spanish media, further confirm Tanger Med’s dominant role in the Mediterranean logistics landscape. The Moroccan port, ranked first in Africa and among the top 20 globally in terms of connectivity, continues to attract multinational investment thanks to its integrated logistics zones, industrial free trade areas, and stable regulatory framework.

This recognition from a major Spanish maritime figure highlights the shifting balance of power in Western Mediterranean trade. Once the domain of Spanish ports, the region is now increasingly shaped by Morocco’s vision of industrial and fiscal competitiveness—a model that European leaders are beginning to study closely.