The port of Tangier in northern Morocco is ramping up its capacity as global shipping disruptions divert vessel traffic away from traditional routes through the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Idriss Aarabi, managing director of Tanger Med Port, said the facility’s immediate priority is to prevent congestion amid a sharp rise in activity. The port, strategically located on the Strait of Gibraltar, has become a crucial hub for Europe-bound container ships navigating longer alternative routes.
Major global shipping lines, including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM, have confirmed that they are rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope at Africa’s southern tip. The shift comes as security concerns in key maritime corridors continue to disrupt trade flows.
Shipping companies began avoiding the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in late 2023 after Yemen’s Houthi authorities announced a blockade of the Red Sea. More recently, instability linked to tensions involving Iran and the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz has compounded the disruption, further redirecting global shipping traffic.
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The changing dynamics have provided a significant boost to African ports. Tanger Med recorded strong growth in 2025, handling 11.1 million containers—an 8.4 percent increase compared to the previous year—outperforming many of its Mediterranean counterparts.
Elsewhere on the continent, Kenya’s Lamu port is also emerging as a key beneficiary. The facility has become an important bunkering point for cargo ships heading toward the Gulf, particularly Dubai. Kenyan authorities say Lamu is on track to develop into Africa’s leading deep-water transshipment hub.
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Analysts say the ongoing geopolitical tensions are reshaping global trade routes, elevating the strategic importance of African ports as shipping companies adapt to a more volatile maritime environment.
