The port of Tangier in northern Morocco is ramping up operations to handle increased maritime traffic triggered by ongoing tensions in the Gulf region.

Avoiding Congestion Amid Shipping Diversions

The country’s authorities say efforts are underway to prevent congestion as more vessels divert from traditional shipping lanes. The disruption has forced major global shipping companies, including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM, to reroute their ships around the Cape of Good Hope instead of passing through the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Port’s Strategic Position

Tangier’s Managing Director, Idriss Aarabi, said the port’s immediate focus is to efficiently manage the surge in traffic and avoid operational bottlenecks. Situated along the Strait of Gibraltar, the port serves as a critical transit hub for container ships heading to Europe.

Record Performance in 2025

Heritage Times HT reports that the port recorded strong performance in 2025, handling 11.1 million containers, an 8.4 percent increase compared to 2024, outpacing several of its Mediterranean counterparts.

Root Causes of Disruptions

Shipping disruptions began intensifying in late 2023 after Yemen’s Houthi authorities declared a blockade affecting the Red Sea corridor. The situation worsened following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened conflict involving the United States and Israel targeting Iran.

African Ports Benefiting from Shift

As instability persists, several African ports are benefiting from the shift in global shipping patterns. Notably, the port of Lamu in Kenya has emerged as a key refuelling hub for cargo vessels en route to destinations such as Dubai, with officials projecting it could evolve into one of Africa’s leading deep-water transshipment centres.