The Morocco-to-Europe route is one of the world’s busiest lanes, with OEMs and suppliers relying on ferry crossings across the Strait of Gibraltar to maintain a steady supply of materials for key industries, including automotive, aerospace, and defence. However, over the past week, heavy congestion at key entry points has been worsened by severe storms, creating bottlenecks at ports and customs checkpoints and resulting in transit delays.
Latest Disruption and Delays
On 18 March 2025, the Port of Tarifa cancelled all morning departures to Tangier City due to rough seas, while the Port of Algeciras reported delays in its connections to Tangier Med. The Port Authority advised non-port-related drivers to avoid the area due to high congestion, and transporters destined for Tangier Med were urged to postpone their arrivals.
These delays follow a pattern observed over the past week. 13 March 2025, the Port of Tarifa faced similar cancellations due to storms in the Strait of Gibraltar, where winds reached 80 km/h. While Algeciras maintained some operations, disruptions impacted ferry schedules and vehicle crossings. This continues a trend of frequent suspensions in recent weeks, affecting logistics in the area and supply chains flowing to Europe.
What’s the Impact on Supply Chains?
Morocco has become a key supplier to the EU’s automotive sector, with exports reaching €15.1 billion in 2023 – surpassing China’s €13.6 billion. Automotive manufacturers have become more dependent on Moroccan production hubs such as Tangier and Kenitra for components ranging from engines to electronic modules and vehicle assemblies. Delays in customs clearance are disrupting production schedules at European plants, increasing lead times and affecting inventory planning. The situation is expected to worsen over the next week, with congestion expected to ease at the beginning of next month.
The aerospace industry, which has seen increasing investment from global manufacturers, is facing similar challenges. High-value, precision-engineered parts and composite materials required for aircraft production and maintenance are being held up at congested ports, leading to increased costs and extended shipping times, ultimately impacting supply chain efficiency.
How We’re Supporting OEMs and Suppliers
Logistics managers are under growing pressure to find fast and reliable solutions to keep supply chains moving. We are supporting OEMs and suppliers in the region by securing dedicated air freight at competitive rates and implementing alternative routing strategies to bypass congestion and ensure on-time deliveries.
If you are experiencing delays or require expert logistics support, our local teams across Europe are available to help minimise downtime and prevent costly disruptions.
You can reach out to our teams on the following:
Global: info@evolution-timecritical.com | +44 (0)1332 814914
Germany (DE): info@evolution-timecritical.de | +49 (0)211 4361 980
Central & Eastern Europe (CEE): info@evolution-timecritical.sk | +421 222 155 222
Iberia: info@evolution-timecritical.pt | +351 22 11 22 732
