Morocco is positioning its Atlantic coastline as a strategic gateway for trade and regional integration, Transport and Logistics Minister Abdeslam Kayouh told the 34th session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Assembly in London.
“Maritime transport is a strategic pillar of Morocco’s economy,” Kayouh said, noting that over 96% of the kingdom’s foreign trade moves by sea. With more than 3,500 kilometers of coastline on the Mediterranean and Atlantic, Morocco aims to leverage its geography to strengthen links with Africa and the Americas.
The minister said the strategy aligns with King Mohammed VI’s vision to make the Atlantic coast “a gateway to Africa, a platform for economic integration, and a hub for global connectivity.”
Plans include expanding port infrastructure, boosting maritime connectivity, and studying the creation of a competitive national shipping fleet to support international trade flows, he said.
Tangier Med serves as a leading transshipment hub in the Mediterranean, while Nador West Med is emerging as a new logistics center. The upcoming Dakhla Atlantic Port is expected to enhance connectivity with West Africa.
Kayouh emphasized Morocco’s compliance with international safety and environmental standards, citing active participation in the Mediterranean Memorandum of Understanding and regular inspections of foreign vessels.
The country also operates a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) in Tangier to manage navigation through the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors with over 100,000 ship transits annually.
Morocco is also advancing sustainability in shipping. Kayouh announced plans to offer low-carbon marine fuels, leveraging the kingdom’s leadership in renewable energy to produce green hydrogen and derivatives such as methanol and ammonia for global maritime use.
“Morocco is committed to working with IMO members to ensure a smooth and inclusive energy transition for the maritime sector,” Qiyouh said, highlighting the country’s ambition to become a regional hub for clean marine fuel production and export.
