The ships of the Maersk company, which take the United States-Middle East-India maritime route, will dock from February 24 at the port of Tanger Med instead of Algeciras. A decision which irritated certain circles in Spain, thus forcing the Danish group to reassure them.
In statements to an Iberian media outlet, Maersk justified this Tuesday, January 14, the election of the port of Tangier for “commercial reasons”, affirming that Algeciras “remains a strategic priority” for the international company. And to specify that “the Andalusian port will play a key role in the future”, particularly after the commercial agreement concluded in December between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. The two parties plan to transport 3.4 million containers.
The Spanish media recognizes that “in recent months, the shipping company has highlighted the qualities of the port of Tangier, a modern and semi-automated installation”. She also clarified that Algeciras, like Barcelona, faces “high levels of density”. This disrupts its transshipment operations. In a diplomatic tone, the shipping company said it “greatly appreciates the professionalism and experience of the Algeciras team, as well as its results as a key transshipment hub in its network”.
The Iberian media outlet explains that this decision will allow the Danish company to avoid the European Union’s new carbon emissions trading regime, which taxes shipping companies that dock in European ports. Since it came into force in 2024, companies must report their emissions before March 31 each year. In 2025, ships will pay 40% of their 2024 emissions, in 2026 70% of their 2025 emissions and in 2027 100% of their 2026 emissions.
Morocco
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