Strategic Port Hubs in the Arab World
Tanger Med and the Port of Casablanca have emerged as critical maritime hubs within the Arab world, showcasing their vital connectivity to the global shipping network. As outlined in the 2025 report by the Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (Dhaman), these two Moroccan ports rank among the most connected port infrastructures in the region. They are positioned alongside other significant Arab port hubs such as Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Jeddah, and Alexandria, reinforcing their importance in a ranking that encompasses 71 ports throughout the Arab nations.
Investment Growth in the Maritime Sector
The report highlights the growing appeal of the maritime sector in the Arab region, which has attracted a remarkable 146 foreign investment projects over the past 23 years, amassing nearly $4 billion in total investments. As of 2025, the Arab commercial fleet has experienced a 4% increase, bringing the total number of vessels to approximately 2,900, underlining the sector's ongoing expansion. Moreover, the transport capacity has seen a boost of 4.6%, reaching almost 109 million deadweight tons, which represents around 5% of the global maritime transport volume.
In 2023, Arab ports processed over 423 million metric tons of cargo, with Morocco, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt accounting for 58% of this total. The maritime sector's significance is further illustrated by the fact that nearly 1.6 billion tons of goods were loaded through Arab ports during the same year, constituting 14% of the global total. Notably, oil comprised 58% of these volumes, emphasizing the strategic importance of these ports in the global energy supply chain.
Additionally, the report notes a 19% increase in handling volumes at ten major Arab ports from 2019 to 2023, amounting to around 59 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). The connectivity index to the global regular shipping network has improved for several Arab countries, with Morocco, the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia leading the regional rankings. Furthermore, the external trade of maritime transport services in 11 Arab nations grew by 12% in 2024, surpassing $53 billion, which represents approximately 25% of the total Arab trade in this sector. This growth is attributed to a 14% rise in maritime transport service exports, reaching nearly $9 billion, and a 13% increase in imports, estimated at around $45 billion.
As reported by lebrief.ma.
