Amid the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic and rising consumer demand, German logistics multinational Dachser opened a new warehouse in Tanger Med in April 2021, betting on the development of the zone and the nearshoring needs of its customers.

M’Hamed Chraibi, regional managing director of the Maghreb at Dachser, tells fDi why that was the right decision, and how the port’s streamlined processes and strategic location between Europe and Africa will continue to pay dividends.

Advertisement

Q: Why did Dachser expand in Tanger Med in 2021?

A: We came to Tanger Med in 2017 initially because we thought it was the future, but we wanted to be sure that we were following the administrative processes correctly. In 2021, one of our clients, who is a market leader in fibre optics, expressed a need to have stock near to their factory, which is in Tangier. We proposed Tanger Med. 

We expanded in 2021 into a warehouse with 6000 square metres, as we took this chance to take much more space than the client needed, which was only 2000 square metres. Now the warehouse is almost full with four different clients, so it was the right move. It has been a success. 

Q: How have you been able to use it to its full potential?

A: Where we have an advantage in Tanger Med is that, for instance, we can do order preparation and labelling on Moroccan wages, so the handling costs are less for our clients than it would in Europe, for example. As a large part of the traffic through Tanger Med is not bound for Morocco, this is where we are able to add value as we can offer our services to global clients at a lower price point. This, I think, is unique to Tanger Med.

Q: From what you’re saying, Tanger Med is well poised to reap the benefits from the trend towards nearshoring. Has the port complex come into its own, post-pandemic?

Advertisement

A: Clearly. We can see this trend especially in the textiles or automotive industries. From our perspective, this has allowed us to get more business as companies adopt this strategy of nearshoring. 

Over the past three years, Tanger Med’s position has become stronger, and its relevance will only increase. At first it was a door to Europe and nearshoring; now it is becoming a door to Africa too. As the world looks for markets, Africa seems to be the next market. I think the importance of Tanger Med is going to increase because it is an advantageous tool not only for Moroccan industry, but also for European companies, to reach Africa. 

Q: How has Tanger Med responded to the digital needs of logistics companies like Dachser?

A: Our operations in Tanger Med are 100% digitised and it’s really great for all of us in logistics. Today, you can go out and come into Tanger Med without a piece of paper. It is the only port in Morocco that is completely paperless. When I compare it to other ports, where we are struggling and need paper and stamps for everything, it is pure happiness for someone in my position. The operations in Tanger Med are really smooth.

Q: Is there any room for improvement for Tanger Med?

A: Today, for a company like ours, I don’t see anything they could do better. Thanks to Tanger Med, we are in the middle of the game. I would say that one of their challenges is to keep up what they’re doing today. Once businesses are used to a certain level of quality, the difficulty is to maintain it. 

This article is part of the Special Report:
Tanger Med's rise as a nearshoring hub

Read more articles from the report