Tanger Med Begins Preparations for Western Expansion to Enhance Its Capacity in Response to Growing Maritime Trade
The Tanger Med port complex is preparing to take a significant step in its development with the initiation of the first steps related to the west extension project. This initiative aims to anticipate future growth in container traffic and enhance the port’s capacity in response to the increasing demand for maritime transport and transshipment.
According to the specialized website Ports Europe, the port authority of Tanger Med has launched a contractualization procedure concerning infrastructure works that are part of the preparations for the extension project.
The call for tenders, referenced as TMPA_AO_40_26, pertains to the implementation of studies and works aimed at relocating and extending the drainage channels located in the Tanger Med 2 areas and the west platform, under the officially named “West Extension of Tanger Med” project.
The call for tenders was published on July 11, 2026, with the deadline for bid submissions set for August 6, according to information available on the public procurement platforms of Tanger Med.
These works represent an essential preparatory phase for the site’s development. The reorganization of drainage networks generally occurs ahead of land preparation operations and the construction of new infrastructures. At this stage, however, the available information does not specify the exact area affected by the extension or the additional capacities that could be created.
An Extension Amid Record Growth
The launch of these preparations comes at a time when Tanger Med is experiencing sustained growth in its operations.
In 2025, the port complex handled 11,106,164 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), reflecting an increase of 8.4% year-over-year. This marked the first time the port surpassed the threshold of 11 million containers.
In 2024, traffic had reached approximately 10.24 million TEUs, largely due to the expansion of the fourth container terminal operated by APM Terminals. This development enabled the port to enhance its operational capabilities and support the ongoing growth of maritime exchanges.
A Strategic Role Strengthened by Changes in Shipping Routes
The west extension project also takes place within an international context marked by profound transformations in maritime shipping routes. These changes could further bolster the role of Tanger Med as a transshipment and logistics service platform.
Disruptions affecting certain international routes, particularly those linked to the Red Sea, have underscored the need for port infrastructures capable of accommodating potential additional flows of ships and containers.
The general director of the Tanger Med port authority had indicated to Reuters last March that managing available capacity and preventing congestion were priorities for the port, amidst evolving maritime routes in the Middle East and the Red Sea that could lead to increased traffic.
Tanger Med: A Global Maritime Hub
Today, Tanger Med is one of Morocco’s main maritime connection points with international markets, with links to over 180 ports around the world.
Thanks to the performance recorded in 2025, the complex has solidified its position as the largest container port in Africa, while strengthening its status as a major transshipment platform in the Mediterranean.
If the upcoming stages of the project are completed, the west extension is expected to provide Tanger Med with additional capacity to support the future growth of maritime trade.
Ultimately, this development could also enhance the complex’s role as a logistics hub linking Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, thereby solidifying Morocco’s strategic position along the major routes of international trade.
