Maersk warns of delays caused by high number of refrigerated container unloadings
Moroccan fruit exporters are warning that severe congestion at the Port of Tangier-Med is delaying shipments to Europe. A report in Rue20 said the growing saturation of trucks laden with fruits and vegetables destined for European consumers meant shipments are being held up for several days at the port.
Danish shipping giant Maersk recently issued a warning about “an increase in the density of the yards”, citing “rotations in several services and a high number of refrigerated container unloadings” as the reason for the backlog.
These delays are reportedly jeopardizing Maersk’s new alliance with Hapag-Lloyd, the Gemini Cooperation, in which Tangier-Med plays a key role as a leading terminal in the Mediterranean.
Moroccan exporters accuse the government of failing to fully grasp the gravity of the situation, which they warn will lead to significant losses, especially in the face of fierce competition in the fresh fruit export sector from Latin American and African countries.
They are calling on the Transport and Foreign Trade Ministries, as well as the Customs Directorate and the Tangier Med Port Authority, to find urgent solutions, including speeding up truck exits and creating specific export routes for perishable cargo.
Tanger Med port ranked fourth in the global Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) for 2023. In this ranking, compiled by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, the Moroccan port facility outperformed all African and European ports for the second consecutive year.
