- The ongoing conflict in the Red Sea has led to a significant increase in container ship movements at the Port of Malaga.
- With heightened security issues affecting the routing of global shipping through the Suez Canal, freight traffic in Malaga has tripled.
- Larger vessels from major shipping companies such as Maersk and MSC are making port calls, reflecting a shift in logistics routes due to regional tensions.
Increased Container Ship Movements
The Port of Malaga is witnessing an influx of large container ships, with vessels such as the 353-meter-long Maersk Hidalgo loading up with 1,300 containers bound for Chinese and Korean ports. This shift is due to a change in transoceanic logistics routes that previously passed through the Suez Canal but are now being rerouted around Africa to avoid the conflict in the Middle East.
Dockers and Diversified Operations
The surge in container traffic has benefited dock workers, who are now working at full capacity. The Port of Malaga has seen improvements in stevedoring operations, with diversified activities including containers, cars, and bulk shipments. The port is becoming a preferred option for large shipping lines as other nearby ports such as Algeciras and Tangier Med are already full.
Shift in Cargo Handling
Cargo is now being offloaded at the Port of Malaga and transferred to smaller ships for distribution to other Mediterranean and European ports. This shift represents a significant change in the port’s role in global shipping routes, with larger vessels now calling at the port regularly.
Long-Term Impact and Agreements
The duration of this trend depends on the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea, with tensions remaining high in the region. An agreement with shipping company MSC has contributed to the port’s rise in container ship traffic, which may continue for one to two years. Port authority president Carlos Rubio emphasized the importance of leveraging this opportunity to establish the port as a major hub for global shipping traffic.
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Source: Sur In English
