Maersk Increases Capacity to the Port of Casablanca by 48%
Maersk Expands Services at the Port of Casablanca
Danish shipping company Maersk is enhancing its services at the Port of Casablanca by increasing transport capacities on this maritime route by 48%. Announced on October 22, this decision coincides with the centenary of the first docking of a ship from the group in the Moroccan metropolis. It underscores the significance of the Moroccan market in Maersk’s logistics strategy as the company aims to meet the needs of importers and exporters while diversifying its transportation solutions within the Kingdom.
Maersk Strengthens Maritime Services to Casablanca
Ruben Moratinos Collantes, Maersk’s Commercial Director for the Maghreb, revealed this news following a meeting with the company’s clients and partners. According to Moratinos, the company now offers a connection to the Port of Casablanca with an additional 48% in transport capacity.
This increase pertains specifically to the maritime transport space available to economic operators on this route. It does not imply a corresponding increase in the physical capacity of the port, which depends on factors such as quays and handling equipment. The actual volumes transported will fluctuate based on bookings, vessel load rates, and the demands of shippers.
Through this enhancement, Maersk aims to strengthen its offerings to one of Morocco’s main commercial and industrial hubs, amidst a backdrop of increasing trade and a growing need for efficient logistics solutions.
Casablanca Port Handles Nearly 35% of National Traffic
The Port of Casablanca holds a strategic position in Morocco’s external trade. Data from the National Port Authority (ANP), referenced by Maersk in August 2026, indicates that this infrastructure handled 17 million tons of goods in the first half of the year.
June alone recorded traffic of 3.53 million tons, a 32% increase year-on-year. Furthermore, Maersk estimates that Casablanca accounts for around 35% of the national port activity, confirming its crucial role in supplying the Moroccan market and facilitating import-export operations.
However, this importance comes with operational constraints. Maersk noted frequent congestion and limited flexibility at the Port of Casablanca. These challenges pose a dilemma for companies aiming to control their delivery times and optimize their supply chains.
Tangier Med: A Catalyst for Streamlined Cargo Flows
To navigate some of these constraints, Maersk has boosted the role of Tangier Med in its Moroccan logistics framework. On August 14, 2026, the group unveiled a high-frequency rail link between Tangier and Casablanca, now operational, designed to transport containers disembarked at Tangier Med to the economic capital.
This multimodal solution combines maritime transport to the northern port of the Kingdom, rail freight to Casablanca, customs clearance options, warehousing, and final delivery by truck. The goal is to streamline the movement of goods to the country’s primary commercial center while providing shippers with more flexibility in their operations.
It’s important to note that the rail link between Tangier and Casablanca and the strengthened direct maritime service to Casablanca represent two distinct offerings in Maersk’s catalog. They cater to different needs while aligning with a broader strategy of diversifying logistical routes.
Maersk Also Reconfigures Services to West Africa
The enhancement of services to Casablanca comes as the group continues to reorganize its regional maritime network. On October 19, Maersk announced a revamp of its services between Western Mediterranean and West Africa, with implementation set for the third week of December 2026.
The new WAF1 service will connect Algeciras, Spain, Tangier, and Dakar, Senegal. Meanwhile, the WAF5 line will service Monrovia, Abidjan, Takoradi in Ghana, San-Pedro in Côte d’Ivoire, and Lagos, with network extensions to Algeciras and Tangier.
This reorganization aims to tailor maritime connections to the needs of trade between Europe, Morocco, and West African markets. The Kingdom’s geographical position and its port infrastructures make it a vital hub for cargo flows between these regions.
Morocco Bridge Completes the Group’s Logistics Framework
Since February 2024, Maersk has also been operating Morocco Bridge, a multimodal solution that integrates rail and road transport in Morocco with a roll-on/roll-off shuttle operating twice daily between Tangier and Algeciras.
At the launch of this initiative, Emilio de la Cruz, Maersk’s General Manager for Southwestern Europe, highlighted the double-digit growth in the number of trucks heading to Spain and France.
With the 48% increase in capacities offered on its line to Casablanca, the development of rail solutions, and the reorganization of services to West Africa, Maersk is actively working to enhance its logistics network in Morocco. The evolution of demand and the operational conditions of infrastructures will ultimately determine how these additional capacities translate into a growth in actual transported volumes.
