Morocco set to foster its merchant marine fleet

Morocco is stepping up efforts to build a competitive merchant fleet in line with the country’s Atlantic ambitions and port investments.

Transport minister had told MPs last week his department was set to promote investments aiming at bolstering Morocco’s commercial marine fleet.

The announcement came after King Mohammed VI urged transforming Morocco’s Atlantic coast into a space for human interaction and economic integration, and to make sure it plays a key role at continental and international levels.

He also urged the government to “facilitate connectivity between the different countries bordering the Atlantic, provide for means of transportation, build logistics platforms and consider the development of a strong, competitive national commercial marine fleet.”

With closed land borders with Algeria, Morocco has capitalized on ports. It now has one of the world’s most competitive port infrastructure with Tangier med outperforming Mediterranean peers in recent years.

It also plans a 1-billion-dollar port in Dakhla in the Sahara territory that would further enhance Morocco’s connectivity with the rest of Africa and Atlantic countries.