Six months after the beginning of the crisis in the Middle East, the global sulfur market remains severely disrupted. The situation is particularly sensitive for Morocco: OCP has phosphate, but must massively import the sulfur essential to transforming it into fertilizer.
Portugal wants to persuade the European Union to suspend part of its carbon rules for maritime transport. Lisbon claims that this mechanism is diverting ships from the port of Sines in favor of Moroccan facilities, particularly Tanger Med.
Dakhla and Nador West Med are already appearing on Brussels’ radar. The European Commission cites the two future Moroccan hubs among the ports that shipping companies could use to reduce their exposure to the European carbon market.
The Spanish Navy has deployed the Centinela in the Alboran Sea to monitor communication cables and underwater energy pipelines . The vessel patrols in a strategic zone between Spain and Morocco.
Operation Marhaba 2026 is being actively prepared between Morocco and Spain. From June 15 to September 15, more than 3.5 million travelers are expected. A massive human and technological system is being deployed to prevent congestion.
The port of Tanger Med is facing historic congestion, unable to absorb massive maritime traffic diverted by tensions in the Gulf. Dozens of ships are currently waiting off the northern coast of Morocco.
The fast maritime connections between the Spanish port of Tarifa and Tangier are suspended this Thursday and Friday due to Storm Nils. The port authorities recommend that travelers redirect to Algeciras, where traffic remains maintained.
Maritime traffic has resumed this Saturday on the main line connecting Algeciras to Tanger Med, after several days of paralysis due to bad weather. While this reopening allows for the gradual easing of the flow of passengers and goods, tensions on the supply of fuels and butane gas are beginning to be felt in Morocco.
The port of Motril has just launched the construction work of a new vehicle control post to streamline traffic with Morocco, especially during the passage of MREs.
The port of Tanger Med consolidates its position as a leader in container traffic in the Mediterranean, to the detriment of Algeciras. In 2021, the Moroccan port handled a total of 7,173,870 TEU containers, compared to 5,771,221 in 2020, an increase of 24%.
Faced with the influx of travelers, the maritime company Intershipping announces saturation from the port of Sète. From Saturday, July 10, it is suspending ticket sales.
Port activity at Tanger Med continues on its good momentum . Ranked in February 2021 among the 25 largest ports in the world, the port complex is trying to gain a few more points in the ranking.