Casablanca – Morocco’s Tanger Med port has once again demonstrated its prominence on the global stage, securing a spot among the world’s five most efficient container ports. According to the 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), released jointly by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, Tanger Med ranks fifth globally with a score of 135.8, confirming its status as a key hub in both the Mediterranean and Africa.

The CPPI 2025 report evaluates the performance of 403 to 405 ports worldwide, analyzing more than 175,000 ship calls and 247 million container movements during the 2020–2024 period. The ranking is based on vessel turnaround times and the efficiency of port operations, providing a comprehensive overview of global container logistics. Despite multiple disruptions—including the Red Sea crisis, Panama Canal delays, and post-pandemic supply chain pressures—Tanger Med has managed to maintain high operational standards, setting itself apart from many other international ports.

Global context and regional competitiveness

Tanger Med ranks just behind China’s Dalian (136.5 points) and ahead of Mawan (133 points), while the top four is led by Yangshan (146.3) and Fuzhou (139.2) in China, with Egypt’s Port Said in third place at 137.4. The port surpasses other major Asian hubs such as Guangzhou (130.2), Ningbo (127.9), and Malaysia’s Tanjung Pelepas (118.3). The top 20 ports highlighted in the CPPI report are largely major export and transshipment platforms, with turnaround times significantly better than the global average.

East Asian ports continue to dominate the global rankings due to heavy investments in automation and integrated logistics. However, several ports in developing countries have made notable progress, reflecting strong political commitment, partnerships with international terminal operators, and reforms aimed at streamlining commercial procedures. Examples of such emerging hubs include Dakar in Senegal, Jawaharlal Nehru in India, Mersin in Turkey, and Posorja in Ecuador. Tanger Med now stands alongside these ports as a leading African hub capable of competing at a global level.

Decarbonization and Sustainable Growth

In addition to operational efficiency, Tanger Med is actively pursuing environmental sustainability. The port’s ambitious decarbonization strategy focuses on four key areas: clean energy, green mobility, energy efficiency, and circular economy practices. Among ongoing projects are a 1.3 MW solar plant already in operation, a 13 MW floating photovoltaic plant planned for late 2025, a 15 MW wind farm scheduled for 2026, and a 2 MW solar system installed on import warehouses. These initiatives underscore Tanger Med’s commitment to integrating ecological considerations into its growth and operations, aligning with stricter global environmental standards.

Contrasting performance within Morocco

While Tanger Med remains a global leader, other Moroccan ports lag behind. Casablanca, the country’s second container port, ranks 329th worldwide with a CPPI score of just 39.8. The disparity is largely due to the centralization of container traffic at Tanger Med; in 2023, Casablanca handled only 253 ship calls compared with over 3,000 at Tanger Med. Other Moroccan terminals, including Agadir, Jorf Lasfar, and Nador, handle smaller or specialized cargo flows such as agricultural products, phosphates, and energy, and do not appear in the CPPI rankings.

The CPPI emphasizes total time spent in port as a key measure of efficiency, highlighting factors such as crane utilization, continuous terminal operations, and digital integration with customs and logistics partners. These operational elements are critical for enhancing competitiveness, resilience, and the reliability of global supply chains. The index also allows multi-year trend analysis, providing insight into how ports have evolved since 2020 and where improvements are needed.

Strategic significance for Morocco

Tanger Med’s status as a leading global port offers Morocco a structural advantage, enabling the country to connect effectively to international supply chains and attract substantial transshipment traffic. Handling 8.6 million TEUs in 2023 out of an annual capacity of approximately 9 million, the port demonstrates both operational efficiency and growth potential. Its position among the world’s top five container ports underscores Morocco’s capacity to develop infrastructure that rivals leading Asian and European hubs.

The 2025 CPPI edition confirms that Tanger Med is not only a regional and African anchor but also a key player in the global maritime logistics network. Its blend of high throughput, operational resilience, and sustainability initiatives ensures that the port will remain a central node in international trade for years to come.