Moroccan ports are starting to dominate the freight traffic between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic, topping Spain. According to Bloomberg, Morocco's Tanger Med port handled almost 5.8 million TEU (20-foot equivalent units) in 2020, 20% up than 2019, across the Strait of Gibraltar. During the same period, Spain's Algeciras handled 5.1 million TEUs only, recording 0.4% drop. «Ten years ago Tanger Med wasn't regarded as a big competitor. But it has been growing in the meantime, it has hired top professionals with an international education, and now has a very, very clear business plan», said Jordi Espin, policy manager at the European Shippers' Council. «While Spain has stricter laws that have to be negotiated with social agents, especially when it comes to stowage, Tanger Med can count on a tailored legislation aimed at making it as modern and competitive as possible», Espin added. For the record, Maersk, CMA-CGM and Hapag-Lloyd are among the biggest carriers to call on the Moroccan port.
