Morocco’s Tanger Med has cemented its position as Africa’s most efficient container port, climbing to sixth place globally in the 2025 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI), according to the latest report published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence. The ranking highlights a widening performance gap between North African ports and many of their counterparts across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The annual index measures container port efficiency by evaluating the total time vessels spend in port, making it one of the most widely used benchmarks for global maritime logistics. Efficient ports reduce shipping costs, improve supply chain reliability, and enhance a country’s competitiveness in international trade.
Tanger Med emerged as Africa’s standout performer, overtaking Egypt’s Port Said to become the continent’s highest-ranked port. Its continued investment in infrastructure, digital systems, and transshipment capabilities has enabled it to compete with some of the world’s busiest ports despite ongoing disruptions to global shipping routes.
Egypt also strengthened its position in the rankings, with Port Said and Damietta joining Tanger Med among the world’s top-performing ports. Their strategic locations along the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal continue to provide significant advantages for international shipping and regional trade.
The report paints a more mixed picture for Sub-Saharan Africa. While ports such as Djibouti, Berbera, and Tema recorded relatively strong performances, many major gateways continued to rank significantly lower due to congestion, infrastructure constraints, and operational inefficiencies.
South Africa showed signs of improvement, with Durban and Ngqura among the world’s most improved ports compared with the previous year’s rankings. However, despite these gains, the country’s major container terminals remain among the lowest-ranked globally, reflecting persistent logistical challenges that continue to hamper cargo movement.
The findings come as global ports continue to operate under pressure from geopolitical tensions, changing shipping routes, climate-related disruptions, and persistent supply chain volatility. According to the World Bank, these external factors have affected vessel turnaround times across multiple regions, making year-on-year comparisons more complex.
The CPPI evaluates more than 400 container ports worldwide using standardized vessel call data. Rather than measuring cargo volumes, the index focuses on operational efficiency, particularly the amount of time ships spend at berth from arrival to departure. Faster turnaround times generally translate into lower transport costs, reduced emissions, and improved trade competitiveness.
For Africa, the latest rankings underscore the growing importance of sustained investment in port infrastructure, automation, digitalization, and operational reforms. As global trade continues to shift, ports that can process vessels more efficiently are expected to attract greater shipping volumes, strengthen regional connectivity, and support long-term economic growth.
