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This 1924 cadastral map of Tangier, created by L. Esteve de Laroque, provides a detailed view of the city at a time when it was the subject matter of international expansion. The map illustrates proposed port expansions and key infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing Tangier’s position as an international hub. 

The history of the port of Tangier is deeply intertwined with the city’s role as a strategic maritime and trading hub connecting Europe, Africa, and the broader Mediterranean world. Tangier’s port has long been a focal point for commerce, diplomacy, and military activity, shaping the city’s development over centuries. 

From the 18th century onward, Tangier was Morocco’s diplomatic gateway to Europe. The city hosted the first foreign consulates in Morocco, including those of the United States, Great Britain, and France. The importance of the port as a conduit for international relations was underscored when Sultan Moulay Suliman gifted the Legation Building in Tangier to the U.S. in 1821, marking the first property acquired abroad by the American government.  

In the 19th century, Tangier’s port found itself at the center of numerous geopolitical struggles. In 1828, the British blockaded Tangier in response to piracy, underscoring the port’s vulnerability to naval power. Later, in 1844, during the French expansion in North Africa, Tangier was bombarded by a French fleet under the Prince of Joinville as part of a broader conflict related to Morocco’s support for Abd el-Kader, the Algerian resistance leader. Although the city’s fortifications were damaged, they were subsequently repaired by British engineers, highlighting the international interest in maintaining the city’s strategic defenses.

Throughout the 19th century, Tangier’s port continued to be a site of diplomatic competition, as European powers vied for influence in Morocco. By the late 1800s, every major European power had a consulate in Tangier, and the city’s port played a vital role in facilitating their presence. However, despite this growing importance, the port infrastructure remained outdated, and efforts to modernize it were only fully realized in the early 20th century. 

The early 20th century marked a turning point in the development and internationalization of Tangier’s port. The city’s strategic location at the mouth of the Strait of Gibraltar made it a focal point for European powers seeking to extend their influence in North Africa. In 1905, Kaiser Wilhelm II’s visit to Tangier triggered the First Moroccan Crisis, as he openly supported Moroccan independence, challenging French influence in the region. This led to the 1906 Algeciras Conference, where the international community agreed to place Tangier’s police training and customs collections under international control, a prelude to further internationalization.

Significant improvements to the port facilities were made in 1907, including the construction of an inner and outer mole, which greatly enhanced its capacity to handle increased maritime traffic. The port’s modernization was essential to accommodate the growing volume of trade, particularly with Europe. The establishment of Tangier as an International Zone in 1923, ratified in 1924, further solidified the port’s role as a global crossroads. Governed jointly by France, Spain, and Britain, with later participation by Italy, Tangier’s port became a critical center for international trade and diplomacy.

The 1924 Port Expansion Plan

The cadastral map of 1924, created by L. Esteve de Laroque, reflects the city’s ambitions to further expand and modernize its port. The map highlights proposed developments, including the extension of the existing quays, the construction of new basins for long-distance ships, and facilities for customs and docking. These expansions were aimed at transforming Tangier into one of the most significant ports in the western Mediterranean, capable of competing with other regional hubs like Algiers and Gibraltar.

The expansion plan was part of a broader strategy to attract international commerce and investment. The port was envisioned not only as a gateway for goods and passengers but also as a symbol of Tangier’s new status as a cosmopolitan enclave. The liberal economic and fiscal policies of the Tangier International Zone, including minimal customs duties and flexible banking regulations, positioned the port as a center for free trade in a world increasingly characterized by protectionism and economic barriers. 

During the interwar period, Tangier’s port thrived under the unique governance structure of the International Zone. The city’s population swelled with an influx of traders, financiers, and expatriates who took advantage of the city’s liberal environment. The port’s significance continued to grow, handling diverse cargoes from Europe, Africa, and beyond. It also became a hub for the smuggling trade, capitalizing on its status as a tax haven.

The Spanish occupation of Tangier during World War II in 1940 disrupted the city’s international status, but the port remained vital for trade and military logistics. After the war, Tangier’s international institutions were restored, and the port resumed its role as a crucial link in global shipping routes until Moroccan independence in 1956, when the International Zone was dissolved, and the port was fully integrated into the Kingdom of Morocco.