Mediterranean Port & Logistics Round-up – July 2026

July was characterised by a strong focus on resilience, geopolitical uncertainty, green investment and strategic infrastructure development across the Mediterranean maritime sector. Ongoing instability in the Middle East continued to reshape regional shipping patterns, reinforcing the importance of resilient supply chains and alternative trade routes.

The security situation in the Middle East deteriorated further during the month. Renewed attacks in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz halted the gradual normalization of commercial navigation through one of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors. Yemen's Houthi movement announced its intention to expand its maritime campaign, including threats to impose a naval blockade on Saudi ports, while renewed attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea reignited concerns over the security of one of the world's busiest shipping corridors. These developments reinforced the reluctance of many shipping companies to resume regular transits through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. As a result, the Cape of Good Hope remained the principal alternative route linking Asia with the Mediterranean.

Infrastructure investment also continued across the Mediterranean. In Morocco, July also marked an important milestone for the Nador West Med Container Terminal, as preparations continued ahead of the terminal's commercial launch at the end of the year. New STS cranes arrived at the terminal during the past weeks. Once fully operational, the terminal operated by TIL & Marsa Maroc will add significant transshipment capacity on the western Mediterranean, further strengthening Morocco's position as a strategic logistics gateway. DP World advanced its long-term development program at the Port of Tartous in Syria with the arrival of new cargo-handling equipment. In the north Adriatic, the construction of the new railway track between Divača and the Port of Koper progressed further. Once completed it will boost the port’s capacity as a gateway for central Europe. Together with the Ports of Trieste, Rijeka and others in the North Adriatic, it should become one of the major logistics hubs to handle central Europe’s foreign trade.

Sustainability also remained high on the agenda for Mediterranean ports. APM Terminals announced that its Suez Canal Container Terminal in Egypt will operate entirely on renewable electricity. Meanwhile, the Port of Barcelona completed its first bioethanol bunkering operation, supplying approximately 2,800 tons of the alternative fuel to a Maersk vessel. These initiatives demonstrate the growing role of Mediterranean ports in supporting the transition towards cleaner maritime fuels and reducing shipping emissions.

July also brought the publication of first-half traffic results across the Mediterranean, providing a clearer picture of how ports are responding to an increasingly complex trading environment. Major transshipment hubs such as Tanger Med, Piraeus and Malta Freeport continued to demonstrate their strategic importance in maintaining regional connectivity despite the prolonged disruption of Red Sea shipping routes. The Suez Canal Authority also published its fiscal year 2025/26 results, reporting a 23% increase in revenues to US$4.67 billion, while vessel transits rose 10% year-on-year and cargo tonnage increased 22%. These figures represent the first clear signs of recovery after two years of decline.

Spain's state-owned ports handled 277.7 million tons of cargo during the first six months of 2026, a 0.8% increase compared with the same period last year, while container traffic exceeded 9.4 million TEUs, up 2.4%. The Port of Algeciras announced that it had handled more than 50 million tons in the first semester of the year. Marseille Fos recorded one of the strongest container performances in the region, handling a record 823,127 TEUs during the first half of the year, a 13% increase compared with H1 2025.

Overall, July confirmed that resilience remains the defining priority for the Mediterranean port and logistics sector. Faced with persistent geopolitical tensions, climate challenges and evolving trade patterns, ports across the region continue to invest in strategic infrastructure, cleaner operations and smarter logistics to strengthen their role as indispensable gateways for international trade.