Morocco’s Tanger Med port is anticipating a possible increase in ship calls as carriers modify routing patterns around Africa.

The port’s managing director indicated that changing service paths could lead to greater vessel presence at the facility, which sits at the Strait of Gibraltar.

Several large container lines, including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM, confirmed during the current month that some services are being redirected via the Cape of Good Hope. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz ​has added to the cargo ​shift as carriers avoid increased risk in the region.

Idriss Aarabi, managing director of Tanger Med, said vessels taking this route would require an additional 10 to 14 days to reach the port compared with previous sailings, Reuters reported.

In response to these developments, the port authority is concentrating on managing available capacity and avoiding operational congestion.

Aarabi noted that, at present, no service cancellations have been recorded. He added that any broader changes to cargo movements are unlikely to become evident before mid-to-late April 2026.

Southern European ports receive higher volumes

Container trade data indicates that Asia–Europe shipping patterns are showing stronger momentum towards southern European destinations.

Total exports from Asia to Europe reached 1.88m TEU in January, representing a 6% year-on-year increase and extending a run of three consecutive months of growth, based on figures cited by the Japan Maritime Centre from Container Trades Statistics.

The distribution of that growth varied by region. Western Mediterranean ports handled 362,180 TEU, reflecting a 10% annual increase, while eastern Mediterranean destinations recorded a similar rise to 370,389 TEU.

Northern Europe, which remains the largest destination, expanded more slowly, with volumes up 4% to 1.14m TEU.

From the origin perspective, Southeast Asia posted the quickest growth rate among Asian exporters. Shipments from the region to Europe increased 9% year on year to 221,753 TEU.

China and Hong Kong remained the largest contributors at 1.53m TEU, up 6%, while other northeast Asian origins rose 3% to 128,577 TEU.

The return flow from Europe to Asia moved in the opposite direction. Exports declined 8% to 421,619 TEU, marking a second monthly fall. Western Mediterranean origins dropped 15%, and northern Europe decreased 9%, while eastern Mediterranean volumes rose 4% to 78,014 TEU.