The 8th edition of Tangier Logistics Days took place at Tanger Med Port Center, bringing together over 300 participants to discuss the theme "Augmented Supply Chain: Human and Data, Rare and Strategic Resources." The event addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on logistics operations, skills evolution, and data governance challenges. Idriss Aarabi, General Director of Tanger Med Port Authority, highlighted the port's performance, with 11 million containers handled in 2025, an 8.4% increase, and a total traffic of 161 million tons.
Idriss Aarabi emphasized that the port's success relies on coordination among port community stakeholders and increasing data utilization. He noted that data has become a strategic infrastructure, like a quay, but its exploitation raises questions about quality, security, sharing, and sovereignty. Aarabi also stressed the importance of human skills in this transformation, stating that algorithms cannot replace human judgment. He believes that while AI calculates, proposes, and alerts, humans remain responsible for making decisions and taking responsibility.
Knut Alicke, Senior Advisor at McKinsey and professor at the University of Cologne and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, discussed the future of supply chains in the AI era. He highlighted the need for forecasting and planning to simulate different scenarios and adapt business decisions in a volatile market environment marked by geopolitical tensions and trade policy changes. According to Alicke, AI enables the processing of larger data volumes and faster integration of variables into planning models.
The event included two roundtable discussions on the evolution of skills and leadership, and the management of operations in an augmented supply chain. The discussions focused on the changing role of supply chain managers, who must combine technological tool expertise, adaptability, management, and leadership skills. The participants emphasized the need for professionals to develop new skills to remain relevant in the industry.
Tanger Med Port has achieved significant rankings, including 16th place globally in container ports according to Lloyd's List, and 6th place in the Container Port Performance Index by the World Bank and S&P Global. The port's performance is a testament to the effectiveness of its strategies and the importance of data-driven decision-making. The event provided a platform for industry stakeholders to share insights and best practices in supply chain management.
The Tangier Logistics Days event demonstrated the growing importance of AI and data in the logistics sector. As the industry continues to evolve, professionals must adapt to new technologies and develop the necessary skills to remain competitive. The event highlighted the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and data.
The 8th edition of Tangier Logistics Days provided valuable insights into the future of supply chain management. Key takeaways included the importance of human skills in an AI-driven industry, the need for effective data governance, and the requirement for professionals to develop new skills to remain relevant. The event will likely contribute to the growth and development of the logistics sector in Morocco and beyond.
Key points
- Tanger Med Port handled 11 million containers in 2025, an 8.4% increase.
- The port is ranked 16th globally in container ports according to Lloyd's List.
- The event highlighted the importance of human skills and data governance in an AI-driven logistics industry.
