Major Ports in North Africa: Gateways to Global Trade

Nov 10, 2025 0

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a crucial region in global maritime trade, serving as a key link between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Its ports are strategically positioned along vital shipping routes, such as the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz, making them essential hubs for container traffic. While no port in the region currently ranks in the top 10 container ports globally, 12 of the top 100 by container volume are located in MENA.

Top Ports in North Africa

North African seaports have the potential to become major players in global trade, learning from the successes of other African ports and adapting to the unique challenges and opportunities of their region. Here are some of the top ports in North Africa:

1. Port of Tangier (Morocco) - Tanger Med

Africa’s busiest port isn’t in South Africa or Egypt-it’s in Morocco. Tanger Med moved 10.24 million TEUs in 2024, surpassing not only regional peers but also major European ports like Algeciras. It’s not just containers: truck traffic grew 8.1% and passenger numbers climbed to 3.05 million. With 142 million tonnes of cargo handled, Tanger Med is now a magnet for automotive exports, industrial logistics, and energy materials.

The Moroccan port of Tangier Med, which started its activities in 2007, is booming, despite the covid. Ranking sixth in the world out of a total of 370 ports studied, the Moroccan port of Tangier Med is the best ranked in Africa, with an overall score of 178.1 points.

2. Port Said (Egypt)

Situated at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, Port Said plays a vital role in global shipping, serving as a key transshipment and logistics hub for cargo moving between Europe and Asia. A key outlet to the Suez Canal, East Port Said is undergoing expansion with new deep berths and quay cranes. Trial operations of its new terminal started in April 2025. When complete, it will connect directly with industrial zones and become a vital node in Egypt’s export strategy.

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3. Port of Alexandria (Egypt)

Handling 74.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, Alexandria remains Egypt’s cornerstone port. Ongoing expansion projects, including a $700 million investment by Hutchison Ports, aim to boost capacity and efficiency. It’s already responsible for over 60% of the nation’s maritime trade.

4. Port of Tunis (Tunisia)

Though smaller in volume, Tunis plays a critical role in Mediterranean logistics. It serves Tunisia’s capital and industrial centers, providing necessary capacity for both bulk cargo and short-sea container shipping.

5. Port of Algiers (Algeria)

Oil-rich and strategically placed, Algiers is currently undergoing upgrades to expand its general and container cargo capacity.

Other Important Ports in Africa

While the focus is on North Africa, here are some other significant ports on the continent:

Port of Durban, South Africa: The busiest port in Africa.
Port of Cape Town, South Africa: Handles the largest amount of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Port of Abidjan, Ivory Coast: West Africa’s biggest port, used for transshipments.
Port of Apapa, Nigeria: Handles a significant portion of Nigeria’s seaborne trade.
Port Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti: Links Europe, the Far East, the Horn of Africa, and the Persian Gulf.
Port of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Handles 95% of Tanzania’s international trade.
Port of Beira, Mozambique: Exports Central African products.
Port of Walvis Bay, Namibia: Handles containers, transshipments, and bulk commodities.

Container Port Performance Index

The container port performance index compiled by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence is based on the total number of hours that a ship spends in port, i.e. the time elapsed between its arrival in the roadstead and its departure from the berth mooring, once the cargo exchange has been completed. The Container Port Performance Index is based on total port hours per ship call, defined as the elapsed time between when a ship reaches a port to its departure from the berth having completed its cargo exchange. Greater or lesser workloads are accounted for by examining the underlying data within ten different call size ranges.

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On a global scale, the Saudi port of King Abdullah is at the top of the ranking, ahead of its two main regional competitors, namely the port of Salalah in Oman, and the port of Hamad in Qatar. Next come three Egyptian ports: Port Said (15th globally ), Port of Damietta and Port El Dekheila (139th globally ).

International Trade Explained

Geopolitical and Trade Route Factors

The strength of MENA’s ports isn't just about cranes, cargo, or container yards-it’s about location. And right now, geography cuts both ways. Since late 2023, Houthi-led disruptions in the Red Sea have halved Suez Canal traffic. This forced carriers to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, adding time, cost, and carbon. In fact, Suez Canal revenue dropped from $10.25 billion in 2023 to just $3.99 billion in 2024. Only 13,213 vessels passed through in that period. At the same time, chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz remain under geopolitical scrutiny, influencing insurance rates and shipping strategies.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative continues to reshape port ownership and infrastructure in places like Khalifa, Salalah, and Alexandria-deepening interdependencies, and raising the stakes for trade and diplomacy alike.

Fastest Growing Ports in the Middle East and North Africa

Several ports in the Middle East are experiencing rapid growth due to strategic investments, infrastructure development, and increasing trade volumes. Jebel Ali remains the fastest-growing port in the region, driven by continuous expansions and its status as a global trade hub. The port’s investment in digitalization and automation has enhanced its operational efficiency, allowing it to handle larger volumes of cargo.

Tanger Med is another rapidly growing port, benefiting from its strategic location and ongoing expansion projects. It has attracted significant investment in infrastructure, allowing it to increase its capacity and become a major player in global trade.

As the shipping industry continues to evolve, North African ports that embrace innovation, efficiency, and sustainability will be well-positioned to thrive in the competitive global market. As North African ports continue to evolve and expand, the role of Digital Logistics Platforms becomes increasingly crucial. These platforms can help ports, freight forwarders, and shippers optimize their operations and streamline the shipping process.