The Port of Tanger Med in northern Morocco could emerge as a key beneficiary of shifting global shipping routes as the war in the Middle East disrupts maritime trade, according to a feature by Assahifa AR.
The feature notes that the port’s strategic location at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors, gives it a significant advantage as international shipping companies seek safer, more stable alternatives to conflict zones.
According to the same feature, Tanger Med has developed over the past two decades into one of the largest shipping and transshipment hubs in the Mediterranean and Africa, with extensive infrastructure capable of handling some of the world’s largest container vessels.
The port recorded a new operational milestone in 2025, handling more than 11.1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and over 161 million tonnes of cargo, reflecting its growing role in global maritime trade.
Assahifa AR notes that such well-equipped and strategically located ports tend to gain even greater importance during periods of geopolitical instability, as shipping lines seek reliable hubs near major trade lanes.
The feature explains that the war in the Middle East has already begun to affect global maritime traffic, with routes across the Gulf entering one of their most sensitive periods in decades.
Rising security risks have caused operational disruptions at several major Gulf ports, prompting shipping companies to reassess their activities and, in some cases, delay or reroute vessels.
Some ships and oil tankers have been forced to remain at sea or adjust their paths due to elevated threats around the Strait of Hormuz, the feature says.
The strait remains a critical chokepoint in global energy trade, with around 20% of the world’s oil shipments passing through it each day.
Several Gulf ports have faced temporary operational disturbances and tightened security, including Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, and Hamad Port in Qatar, the article adds.
Port of Salalah in Oman also experienced partial disruptions following security incidents in nearby waters.
Global shipping companies such as Maersk, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd have begun reviewing operations in the Gulf and suspending some new bookings as a precaution, the feature reports.
Marine insurance costs have risen sharply, with vessels travelling to ports near conflict zones subject to additional “war risk” premiums.
Assahifa AR concludes that if disruptions in key Middle Eastern shipping corridors continue, they could gradually reshape global maritime logistics, potentially enhancing the role of stable ports such as Port of Tanger Med in international trade networks.
