Morocco: Priority on Port and Logistics Infrastructure

27 novembre 2023

0 5 minutes de lecture

Morocco: Prioritizing Port and Logistics Infrastructure

Morocco, recognizing the significance of the sea and maritime transport in supporting its economic and social development, has made the enhancement of its infrastructure, particularly in the port and logistics sectors, a strategic priority over the past two decades, stated Mr. Mohammed ABDELJALIL, Minister of Transport and Logistics, on Monday, November 27, 2023.

Morocco, acknowledging the importance of the sea and maritime transport for its economic and social development, has prioritized the improvement of its infrastructure, especially in the port and logistics domains, as a strategic goal over the last twenty years, affirmed Mr. Mohammed ABDELJALIL, Minister of Transport and Logistics, on Monday, November 27, 2023.

Currently Equipped with 43 Ports, 14 of Which Are Open to International Trade…

Currently equipped with 43 ports, 14 of which are open to international trade and handling over 96% of the country’s foreign trade, Morocco will strengthen these ports with projects for the port of Nador on the western Mediterranean and the port of Dakhla on the Atlantic, Mr. ABDELJALIL specified during the 33rd session of the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Thanks to these infrastructures, which comply with IMO standards, Morocco records exceptional maritime activity, resulting in the transport of over 195 million tons of goods, 5 million passengers, and one million vehicles each year, he detailed.

He added that approximately 9 million containers are processed in ports connecting Morocco to 80 countries and 180 ports worldwide, placing the Kingdom 20th globally in terms of maritime connectivity, particularly due to the Tanger Med port complex.

The will of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God glorify him, to strengthen the Atlantic dimension of the Kingdom, alongside Morocco’s strong ties with Europe through the Mediterranean, will transform the Atlantic coast into a gateway to Africa and a window for Morocco’s opening to the American space, the Minister noted.

The goal is to transform this coast into a space for human communication, economic integration, and continental and international influence, in addition to facilitating connections between the various components of this coastline, as well as providing transportation means and logistics stations, he emphasized.

Furthermore, Mr. ABDELJALIL praised the Organization’s adoption of a strategy aimed at overcoming the issue of greenhouse gas emissions, as part of a collective commitment by its members towards a sustainable and environmentally friendly maritime industry.

The Minister also highlighted the efforts made by various committees to develop a regulatory framework for autonomous maritime vessels, reflecting the Organization’s openness to cutting-edge technologies to shape the future of maritime operations.

Moreover, international technical cooperation, knowledge and practice exchange, capacity building in expertise, resources, and operational skills, as well as establishing a platform to achieve the objectives outlined in the strategic plan, are essential elements through which the IMO can play a central role in bridging disparities between nations, he observed.

Additionally, Morocco provides valuable technical contributions through various bodies of the organization and participates in the Council’s reform efforts and the development of the organization’s strategic plan for the period 2024-2029, Mr. ABDELJALIL recalled, noting that the Kingdom continuously advocates for the core values of the United Nations, actively promoting women’s empowerment and linguistic diversity within the organization while fostering equitable regional representation.

Morocco is participating in the 33rd session of the IMO Assembly, which continues until December 6, with a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, comprising officials from the Ministry and Public Establishments and Enterprises operating in the maritime transport sector.

Source:www.transport.gov.ma