Tanger Med Anticipates Shipping Boom as Middle East War Shift Trade Routes
Rabat – Morocco’s Tanger Med, Africa’s largest container port, stands at the center of a potential surge in maritime traffic as rising tensions in the Middle East force shipping lines to bypass traditional routes.
Major carriers, including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM, recently decided to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.
The detour could add up to two extra weeks of transit for ships bound for Tanger Med, Idriss Aarabi, the port’s managing director, told Reuters by email.
Located on the Strait of Gibraltar, Tanger Med has built a reputation for efficiency and resilience.
Aarabi emphasized the port’s focus on maintaining smooth operations and preventing congestion. He added that the full effect on cargo flows will likely appear by mid-to-late April 2026, but no cancellations have occurred so far.
Shipping companies started avoiding the Suez Canal and Bab el-Mandeb Strait after Houthi attacks on Red Sea vessels began in late 2023.
The recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz and US and Israeli strikes on Iran reinforced the shift, leaving African ports like Tanger Med in a pivotal position.
Analysts predict that the continent’s bunkering and refueling sector could benefit from this prolonged instability.
Longer voyages around Africa have raised fuel costs, driving freight rates higher. Carriers have added surcharges ranging from $1,500 to $3,300 per standard container, with specialized equipment fees reaching $4,000.
Tanger Med continues to outperform Mediterranean peers. The port handled 11.1 million containers in 2025, an increase of 8.4% from the previous year, and maintains connections to more than 180 ports worldwide.
For global shipping lines seeking secure alternatives amid Middle East unrest, Tanger Med has emerged as a crucial hub.
Brazil’s national team coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that he has finalized the squad for the 2026 World Cup and has a clear idea of the starting lineup that will face Morocco in the tournament’s opening match.
The much-anticipated game will take place on June 13, 2026 at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, and will be Morocco’s first match in the group stage, and Brazil’s opener as well.
Brazil’s World Cup preparations included tough friendlies against France and Croatia, each exposing different challenges and giving a clear vision for the team. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Croatia friendly, the Italian coach said: “We’ve assessed players I wasn’t previously familiar with. Today, we have a very clear idea. I already have the starting lineup for the first match (against Morocco) at the World Cup, as well as the final squad.”
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