Rabat — Morocco is emerging as a strategic player in the reshaping of international shipping routes triggered by disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, positioning itself as a major logistics hub in the western Mediterranean, according to the Spanish daily El Mundo.
The publication highlights Morocco’s geographic advantage at the crossroads of Atlantic and Mediterranean trade routes, which allows the country to offer a competitive alternative amid ongoing global supply chain disruptions and the diversion of maritime traffic.
Morocco’s appeal is further reinforced by its favorable regulatory and fiscal environment, which reduces port stopover and operating costs, making it an attractive option for international shipping companies.
El Mundo notes that Morocco has benefited from a decline in European port activity in recent years, as traffic has increasingly shifted to hubs outside the European Union. Central to this dynamic is the Port of Tanger Med, which serves as an integrated logistics platform capable of capturing a portion of these redirected flows.
“The port’s proximity to Spanish ports intensifies direct competition, making it harder for European ports to regain traffic once it has been diverted,” the report explains.
According to Morocco’s Ministry of Equipment and Water, the country’s ports handled a total of 262.6 million tons in 2025, up from 241.2 million tons in 2024, marking an 8.9% increase. Domestic traffic rose to 130 million tons, a 3.5% increase, while transshipment volumes jumped 14.7% to 132.6 million tons.
Transshipment now represents the largest share of port activity at 50.5%, followed by imports at 29.6%, exports at 15.7%, cabotage at 3.6%, and bunkering at 0.6%. These figures underscore Morocco’s growing role as a regional logistics hub and its capacity to absorb increased maritime flows.
Amid geopolitical tensions and global market uncertainty, Morocco is consolidating its position as a reference logistics platform, leveraging its competitive edge and modern infrastructure to attract international maritime traffic. This rising prominence underscores Morocco’s growing influence in regional trade and its central role in Mediterranean shipping.
