The decision by two major European shipping companies, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, to shift their operations from Spanish ports like Algeciras and Valencia to Morocco’s Tanger Med port has raised significant concerns in Spain.
According to Spanish radio station Europa Sur, Members of the European Parliament from the Popular Party, Juan Ignacio Zoido and Borja Jiménez, have sent an official letter to the European Commission expressing their worries about the repercussions of this move.
Juan Ignacio Zoido explained that Maersk’s decision to replace Algeciras with Tanger Med on its shipping route connecting the Middle East, India, and the United States via the Mediterranean highlights the potential impact of environmental regulations on corporate decisions.
He emphasized that “Algeciras port is a major economic hub for Spain,” warning that losing its pivotal role would negatively affect the local economy.
The MEP urged the European Commission to strike a balance between environmental goals and economic policies to ensure that European companies remain competitive amidst current economic shifts.
Meanwhile, Danish company Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping firms, has opted to abandon its stop at Algeciras in favor of Tanger Med. The Moroccan port, recognized as one of the most dynamic in the Mediterranean region, ranked third globally in the 2024 performance index compiled by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, scoring 159.6 points.
This shift underscores the substantial progress achieved by Tanger Med on the global stage, making it a key attraction for international companies and raising concerns in neighboring countries about its impact on their traditional ports.
