Strait of Gibraltar ports are stretched to the limit due to global logistics disruptions

Moscow. July 11. INTERFAX.RU - The ports of Algeciras (Spain) and Tangier (Tanger Med, Morocco) on opposite sides of the Strait of Gibraltar are under significant pressure due to changes in global shipping routes, reports Hellenic Shipping News and attributes this to the reconfiguration of maritime trade due to increased risks in Gulf of Aden and Red Sea. In late 2023, shipping companies began redirecting their ships away from Yemeni waters to avoid Houthi attacks, causing the number of container ship calls into the Gulf of Aden to drop significantly. Ships from Asia heading to Europe are now sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, adding nine to 14 days to travel times and adding pressure to the ports of Algeciras and Tangier, which have become key transshipment hubs. Terminal managers told Hellenic Shipping News that both ports are operating at or near maximum capacity, highlighting the need for strategic adjustments. According to a representative of Maritime Strategies ...