Italian Media: Tanger Med… the Moroccan Port that Redrew the Map of Global Trade
ALDAR/ Meryem Hafiani
The Italian daily Panorama dedicated a special report to Tanger Med Port, stressing that it is no longer just a maritime facility at the heart of the Mediterranean, but a global hub reshaping international trade routes and consolidating Morocco’s position as a key player in globalization. Since its launch in 2007, the port has topped the ranking of African ports for the eighth consecutive year and has held first place in the Mediterranean for the past five years, surpassing historic European ports such as Barcelona, Marseille, and Genoa. It also climbed to 17th place worldwide after crossing the threshold of ten million containers handled annually.
The Italian newspaper quoted the port’s Director General, Tarik Douras, who stated that the secret of success lies in the strategic vision and the High Royal Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which from the very beginning made the project rest on ambition, continuity, and realism. This vision was not limited to port infrastructure alone but expanded to the creation of a fully integrated industrial and logistics ecosystem, bringing together more than 1,400 companies in the automotive, aerospace, electronics, and agri-food sectors, generating over 130,000 jobs. Major corporations such as Renault and Stellantis now produce nearly 600,000 vehicles annually, exported directly through Tanger Med to global markets.
The port’s importance is also reflected in its geostrategic position, connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia. It captures 35% of trade with West Africa and a third of exchanges with Europe, accommodating giant vessels up to 400 meters long carrying 24,000 containers. In this way, Morocco has reduced its reliance on foreign ports such as Rotterdam, transforming itself into a central node in global supply chains.
Among the aspects that impressed the Italian press is the project’s sustainable character: the port runs on 100% renewable electricity, hosts the region’s first floating solar plant, and contributes to Morocco’s ambitions in the field of green hydrogen. These efforts led the World Bank to rank Tanger Med among the top three ports worldwide in terms of performance and efficiency.
Looking ahead to 2030, as Morocco prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, Tanger Med plans to double the number of passengers crossing annually to exceed six million, to receive 2,000 trucks daily bound for Europe, and to strengthen its links with highways and industrial zones.
From the southern shore of the Mediterranean, Tanger Med is no longer just a port, but a central hub connecting three continents and embodying a unique model that combines economic strength with geopolitical weight. It has truly become Morocco’s gateway to the future and a key lever in reshaping the balance of global trade.
