The powerful storms sweeping across Europe are now disrupting maritime operations in Morocco, with major shipping companies reporting serious delays and suspended activity at several key terminals. The impact is being felt across the Atlantic coast, stretching from southern Spain to Moroccan ports.
In a message to its clients, which we obtained, Maersk warned of sharply deteriorating weather conditions in the southwest of the continent. These storms are affecting the entire logistics chain to northern Europe, forcing many port facilities along the Spanish and Moroccan coasts to scale back or temporarily halt operations. The affected zone extends as far as the Bay of Biscay and the British coast.
As a result, port activity has slowed dramatically, with some terminals operating at reduced capacity or pausing entirely. Ships are seeking shelter from the storms, unable to maintain their schedules. No clear timeline has been given for a return to normal operations.
This disruption is directly impacting container traffic between Morocco and Europe, crucial for agricultural exports and industrial supply chains. The delays are already being felt on the ground, particularly in northern Morocco, where export zones are experiencing mounting pressure during peak shipping season.
German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd has also confirmed significant cutbacks in its operations in the region. These latest disruptions add to an already strained period for global maritime transport, which has been grappling with route adjustments and logistical bottlenecks.
Just a week earlier, CMA CGM reported losing 58 containers overboard off the coast of Malta due to extreme weather. Additional equipment still on board was damaged in the incident. This episode underscores the severity of the storms now hammering both the Mediterranean and Atlantic, forcing many shipping lines to reconsider their routes.
Given the intensity of the weather and uncertainty over how long the storms will last, shipping companies are bracing for continued delays along the vital maritime corridor linking Morocco to European markets.
