UN/LOCODE: MAPTM📍 Morocco

Port of Tanger Med (UN/LOCODE MAPTM)

❖ Coordinates: 35.7408°N, -5.7907°E

❖ Time Zone: Africa/Casablanca

❖ UN/LOCODE: MAPTM

## About the Port Tanger Med (officially **Tanger‑Mediterranean Port Complex**, UN/LOCODE **MAPTM**) is Morocco’s premier deep‑water maritime gateway situated on the Strait of Gibraltar, approximately 40 km east of the city of Tangier. Its coordinates (35.7407719 ° N, ‑5.7907302 ° E) place it at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic‑Mediterranean shipping lanes, making it a strategic hub for trans‑Mediterranean container traffic, roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo) services, and bulk cargo handling. Operated by the **Tanger Med Port Authority (TMPA)** under the oversight of the Moroccan Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water, the complex comprises two main phases—Tanger Med I (operational since 2007) and Tanger Med II (expanded from 2015)—covering a total area of over 1,500 ha of reclaimed land and waterfront. The port’s free‑zone status, coupled with modern customs procedures and a dedicated logistics platform, has attracted a dense cluster of maritime services, ship‑repair yards, and industrial zones, positioning Tanger Med as one of the fastest‑growing container transshipment centres in the Mediterranean basin. ### Key Facts | Item | Detail | |------|--------| | **UN/LOCODE** | MAPTM | | **Timezone** | Africa/Casablanca (UTC +0, no DST) | | **Annual Container Throughput (2023)** | ~7.2 million TEU | | **Maximum Draft** | 18 m (allowing vessels up to 20 000 TEU) | | **Berth Length** | > 4 km (combined phases) | | **Free‑Zone Area** | ~300 ha (industrial, logistics, value‑added) | ## History The conception of Tanger Med dates back to the early 1990s when Moroccan planners recognized the economic potential of leveraging the Strait of Gibraltar’s proximity to major European markets. A feasibility study commissioned by the World Bank in 1996 highlighted the need for a deep‑water port capable of handling post‑Panamax vessels and serving as a logistics platform for the growing Maghreb‑Europe trade corridor. Construction of **Tanger Med I** commenced in 2002, with the first berth becoming operational in July 2007. The initial phase featured two container terminals (each with a capacity of 1.5 million TEU), a multipurpose terminal, and a dedicated RoRo facility. The project was financed through a public‑private partnership (PPP) model, involving the Moroccan state, the European Investment Bank, and several international terminal operators. Success in Phase I prompted the launch of **Tanger Med II** in 2010, aimed at doubling capacity and adding specialized facilities such as a liquid bulk terminal, a car carrier terminal, and an expanded free‑zone. The second phase was inaugurated in 2015 and has since undergone incremental upgrades, including the addition of a third container terminal (operated by APM Terminals) and the implementation of a state‑of‑the‑art Port Community System (PCS) that integrates customs, terminal operators, and logistics providers via a single digital window. Throughout its development, Tanger Med has adhered to International Maritime Organization (IMO) safety and environmental standards, earning certifications such as ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 9001 (quality management). The port’s evolution reflects Morocco’s broader national strategy—**Plan Maroc Vert** and **Emergence Plan**—to transform the country into a logistics hub linking Africa, Europe, and the Americas. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Tanger Med’s infrastructure is designed to accommodate the full spectrum of modern maritime trade. The port complex comprises: - **Container Terminals**: Three operational terminals (Tanger Med I Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and Tanger Med II Terminal 3) equipped with Super Post‑Panamax gantry cranes (reach up to 23 rows), automated stacking cranes (ASCs) in select yards, and a combined annual handling capacity exceeding 9 million TEU. - **Multipurpose Terminal**: Handles general cargo, project cargo, and heavy lift operations, featuring heavy‑duty quay cranes and specialized storage for oversized goods. - **RoRo Terminal**: Dedicated lanes for automobiles, trucks, and trailers, with a capacity of over 700 000 vehicle units per year, serving the thriving automotive export sector (notably Renault‑Nissan and PSA plants in the adjacent free‑zone). - **Liquid Bulk Terminal**: Equipped with marine loading arms and storage tanks for petroleum products, chemicals, and liquefied natural gas (LNG), complying with SIGTTO standards. - **Dry Bulk Facilities**: Includes conveyor systems and covered storage for commodities such as phosphates, coal, and grains. - **Free‑Zone and Logistic Platform**: Over 300 ha of industrial parcels offering tax exemptions, one‑stop customs clearance, and value‑added services (assembly, packaging, cold storage). The zone hosts automotive manufacturers, aerospace suppliers, textile firms, and logistics providers. - **Navigational Aids**: Dual‑channel approach marked by buoys, radar, and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) operated 24/7, ensuring safe passage for vessels up to 400 m LOA. - **Rail & Road Links**: Direct rail connection to the national ONCF network (via the Tangier‑Casablanca line) and highway access to the A1 motorway, facilitating seamless hinterland distribution to Moroccan interior markets and trans‑European corridors via the Algeciras‑Tanger ferry link. Environmental initiatives include shore‑power supply for container ships, wastewater treatment plants, and a biodiversity monitoring program aimed at protecting the marine habitat of the Strait. ## Economic Importance Tanger Med is a cornerstone of Morocco’s export‑led growth model. In 2023, the port handled roughly **7.2 million TEU**, representing a **12 % year‑on‑year increase** and positioning it among the top 30 container ports globally. The free‑zone has attracted over **1 000 companies**, generating an estimated **US $12 billion** in cumulative investment and creating more than **120 000 direct and indirect jobs**. Key economic contributions include: - **Automotive Hub**: The adjacent Renault‑Nissan Tangier plant and PSA Peugeot Citroën facility export over **400 000 vehicles annually** through the RoRo terminal, making Morocco Africa’s leading automobile exporter. - **Logistics Value‑Added**: The presence of multinational logistics operators (e.g., DHL, Kuehne+Nagel, DB Schenker) within the free‑zone enables just‑based warehouses and distribution centers serves as a gateway for European goods destined for West and Central Africa. - **Energy Transit**: The liquid bulk terminal supports the import of crude oil and refined products destined for the Moroccan refinery at Mohammedia, while also facilitating LNG re‑export contracts with Spain and Portugal. - **Fiscal Impact**: The port authority contributes significantly to state revenues through port concessions, customs duties, and taxes from free‑zone enterprises, accounting for roughly **3 % of Morocco’s GDP**. Strategically, Tanger Med reduces logistics costs for Moroccan exporters by an estimated **15‑20 %** compared with alternative North African ports, enhancing competitiveness in sectors such as textiles, agriculture (citrus, fish), and phosphates. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Tanger Med’s location on the Strait of Gibraltar situates it at the nexus of three principal maritime corridors: 1. **East‑West Mediterranean Route**: Connecting ports of Algeciras (Spain), Barcelona, Valencia, Genoa, and Marseille with West African terminals (Dakar, Abidjan, Lagos). Tanger Med serves as a primary transshipment hub where feeder vessels from Africa swap cargo with deep‑sea container ships bound for Northern Europe and the Americas. 2. **North‑South Atlantic Route**: Linking European northern range ports (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp) with South American hubs (Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires) via the Atlantic. The port’s deep‑water berths accommodate Post‑Panamax and Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) that bypass the congested Suez Canal during peak periods. 3. **Mediterranean‑Red Sea Linkage**: Although not a direct Suez alternative, Tanger Med provides a convenient relay point for cargo moving between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea via the Strait, especially for time‑sensitive goods (perishables, pharmaceuticals) that benefit from reduced transit times. **Major cargo categories** handled at Tanger Med include: - **Containerized Goods**: Electronics, textiles, automotive parts, machinery, and consumer goods account for ~65 % of total throughput. - **Roll‑on/Roll‑off (RoRo)**: Finished vehicles, trucks, and trailers constitute roughly 20 % of RoRo traffic, driven by the automotive free‑zone. - **Liquid Bulk**: Crude oil, refined petroleum, chemicals, and LNG represent about 10 % of tonnage. - **Dry Bulk & Breakbulk**: Phosphates, coal, grain, steel products, and project cargo (e.g., wind turbine components) make up the remaining share. The port’s average vessel turnaround time is under **24 hours** for container ships, a performance metric that rivals leading hubs such as Valencia and Piraeus. This efficiency, combined with competitive terminal handling charges (THC) and the fiscal advantages of the free‑zone, has cemented Tanger Med’s reputation as a **premier transshipment and logistics gateway** for trade between Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic. For further reference, see the official port overview: Tanger Med Official Website↗ and the UN/LOCODE entry for MAPTM: UN/LOCODE – MAPTM↗.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

MAPTM

Country

Morocco

Province / Region

Tanger-Assilah

Latitude

35.740772

Longitude

-5.790730

Timezone

Africa/Casablanca

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tanger Med?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tanger Med is MAPTM.

Where is Port of Tanger Med located?

The Port of Tanger Med is located in Morocco, Tanger-Assilah. Its coordinates are 35.7408°N, -5.7907°E.

What time zone is Port of Tanger Med in?

Port of Tanger Med operates in the Africa/Casablanca time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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