Maersk has an outstanding debt with the Canary Islands: the return to Tenerife. The shipping company, following the opening of the Dakar hub in 2025, has reportedly instructed its prospecting team to establish a more formal framework in Tenerife as MSC does not plan to move from Las Palmas. Financial sources consulted by Canarymaritime on Monday indicated that the conflict in the Middle East leaves the shipping company with some vulnerability. The port of Tenerife has been chosen for logistical support operations for crews and cargo movements. ‘This will start to be noticeable in 15 or 20 days’, said a specialized source.
Due to the deterioration of the security situation in the Middle East region following the escalation of the military conflict, the shipping company has decided, in close coordination with its security partners, to pause future sailings through the Suez via the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for the time being. Until further notice, all voyages of Maersk’s ME11 services (Middle East-India to the Mediterranean) and MECL (Middle East-India to the U.S. East Coast) will be diverted around the Cape of Good Hope.
In addition to traditional storage capacities, the company continues with its long-standing idea of opening a facility with comprehensive value-added services, such as palletization, processing and order management, distribution, labeling, packaging, and pallet customization. This comprehensive approach would allow customers to outsource all cargo handling activities to Maersk, optimizing operations and reducing complexity.
‘West Africa represents a dynamic and rapidly evolving market with unique logistical challenges, seeking reliable and efficient storage solutions that seamlessly integrate with transportation services’, said the same source. Maersk already offers coverage in eight countries in West Africa with a presence in key access points such as Dakar, Abidjan, Tema, Douala, Lagos, Conakry, Lomé, and Cotonou, all of which adhere to the same high HSSE standards as the recently inaugurated warehouse.
Closing the Collar
In 2025, Maersk inaugurated its state-of-the-art warehouse in Senegal. This significant milestone demonstrates Maersk’s commitment to the development and improvement of logistics infrastructure in West Africa. The strategic location of the facilities offers multiple advantages to customers, such as proximity to end markets, manufacturing operations, and port facilities located less than 10 kilometers away. This location enables more efficient distribution within Senegal and facilitates cross-border transport to neighboring West African countries.
