Maritime Connectivity and Investment Surge
The ports of Tanger Med and Casablanca are at the forefront of the maritime connectivity rankings, reflecting a significant growth in the Arab port sector that is increasingly attracting foreign investments and strengthening its global commercial fleet. According to the inter-Arab institution Dhaman, these two hubs are recognized as elite within a network that evaluates more than 930 international terminals. The sectoral report highlights that the maritime transport in the region has secured 146 foreign projects over the past twenty-three years, totaling nearly $4 billion in investments. This impressive influx of capital underscores the strategic importance of these ports in the global shipping landscape.
Impressive Growth Metrics and Future Outlook
The merchant fleet's performance is indicative of a promising trajectory, with 2,900 ships documented in 2025, marking a 4% increase that raises the total capacity to 109 million metric tons. The Arab nations now hold a 5% share of the global shipping volume, with six countries contributing $218 million to intra-regional projects. Operational activities align with this robust growth, as the region loaded 1.6 billion tons of goods in 2023, with hydrocarbons dominating at 58%. Furthermore, the handling volume surged by 19% over four years within the top ten ports in the area. In 2024, maritime service-related foreign trade exceeded $53 billion, reflecting a 12% increase, driven primarily by Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, who continue to enhance regional connectivity.
The Tanger Med port complex experienced an 8.4% increase in traffic in 2025, bolstered by terminal expansions and a 13.3% rise in handled goods. Despite adjustments in the automotive production sector, the port managed to achieve a remarkable 161 million tons of freight. Such growth positions Tanger Med competitively, even surpassing the port of Algeciras and closely trailing behind global giants like Rotterdam and Antwerp. As the maritime landscape continues to evolve, Morocco's strategic positioning and investments in infrastructure are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of global trade.
As reported by bladi.net.
