Strategic Investments and New Alliances Reshape Global Trade Routes from the Mediterranean to India

A wave of strategic investments and high-level partnerships is actively reshaping key global trade corridors, with significant developments announced in Morocco, Egypt, and along the emerging India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). These initiatives signal a concerted effort to bolster logistics infrastructure, enhance trade connectivity, and capitalize on shifting supply chain dynamics like near-shoring.

In North Africa, A.P. Moller Capital’s Morocco-focused fund has successfully raised $243 million to invest in the nation’s transport and logistics infrastructure, according to The Maritime Executive. The fund, which attracted both Moroccan and international institutional investors, is part of the Mohammed VI Investment Fund initiative aimed at catalyzing long-term growth. “Morocco is a priority market for A.P. Moller Capital, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, rising near‑shoring activity and sustained investment in transport and logistics infrastructure,” said Kim Fejfer, CEO of A.P. Moller Capital. The fund’s investment pipeline includes projects in express logistics and cold storage.

Meanwhile, a major new transshipment hub has commenced operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Damietta Alliance Container Terminals (DACT) in Egypt officially launched with the arrival of the Hapag-Lloyd ‘Essen Express’ on February 14, Seatrade Maritime and WorldCargo News report. The terminal, a joint venture including Hapag-Lloyd, Eurogate, and Contship Italia, is designed primarily for transshipment, with 80% of its volume expected to be such cargo. Once complete, the facility will boast a capacity of 3.3 million TEU. “The new hub strengthens our position in the East Mediterranean and enhances our ability to provide customers with reliable, efficient and competitive services,” said Juan Pablo Richards of Hapag-Lloyd.

Further east, efforts to operationalize the IMEC are gaining momentum. France’s Port of Marseille Fos has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with India’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and Adani Ports and SEZ Group, reports WorldCargo News. The agreements focus on enhancing trade flows, advancing smart port systems through digitalization, and accelerating the energy transition. A key part of the partnership is the proposed creation of an ‘IMEC Ports Club’ to coordinate among key ports along the route. Ashwani Gupta, CEO of Adani Ports, noted that the MoU “completes the India-Europe trade link” and will “strengthen economic cooperation and supply-chain resilience.”