United States drops Port of Algeciras from one of its key maritime routes

The United States has dropped the Port of Algeciras from one of its key maritime routes, according to reports in the Spanish press - a move with potentially serious implications for one of Europe’s busiest container hubs.

The Spanish daily ABC reports that the change, quietly implemented in June, redirects critical US-Asia maritime traffic away from Algeciras to Morocco’s Tangier-Med.  

At the centre of the decision is a diplomatic rift between Madrid and Washington.

Spain blocked two US-operated cargo ships from docking in Algeciras last November, citing concerns they were carrying military materials bound for Israel. Madrid framed the move as a defence of international law and human rights.

The Federal Maritime Commission then began an investigation into what it called "restrictive port practices" by the Spanish government, saying these could harm U.S. trade and warning that it would be weighing possible responses.

Now, the port of Algeciras finds itself edged out of a major US transport corridor at a time of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.