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Morocco's Tanger Med port anticipates to go beyond nominal container capacity

Morocco's Tanger Medication port expects to top its nominal processing capacity of 9 million containers this year, the port's deputy managing director told , adding security problems in the Red Sea had actually had little bit effect on traffic growth.

In 2015, the port preserved its position as the biggest in the Mediterranean, dealing with 8.61 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up 13.4% on 2022.

In the first quarter this year, tonnage increased 14.9% to 33.3 million metric load, while earnings increased 18.3% to $1 billion, official figures showed.

We also grew by a specific portion in regards to containers, Rachid Houari informed , stating that the precise figure was for many years's end.

Now each terminal is doing a little bit more in traffic than the theoretical capability, that is why I believe we will do a. bit better than nine million containers, he said, in an. workplace overlooking an export terminal loaded with Morocco-made automobiles.

We want our port to function to its optimum best. productivity, he said, keeping in mind terminal TC1 run by APM TT which. processed 2.5 million TEUs in 2015, compared with its nominal. capability of 1.5 million TEUs.

The port's growth drivers are its place at the entry of. the hectic Mediterranean, its connection with 180 ports, and its. collaborations with big shipowners and terminal operators such as. Maersk, Hapag Loyd and CMA CGM, Houari stated.

The port has typically been pointed out as taking advantage of the. re-routing of container ships around Africa to prevent attacks by. Iran-aligned Houthi militants in the Red Sea.

Containers crossing the Red Sea represented just 25% of the. port's traffic, with numerous vessels still crossing the Suez Canal. regardless of interruptions, Houari said, keeping in mind the bulk of the port's. traffic is with Africa, Europe and the Americas.

The port is backed by industrial zones that are home to. 1,200 companies that use 110,000 individuals, producing exports. worth $15 billion in 2015, or 20% of total Moroccan exports.

It prepares to expand its commercial zones from 2,500 hectares. to 5,000 hectares to draw in more financiers in high added-value. industries, Houari said.

(source: Reuters)