Moroccan ports experienced a significant increase in overall traffic, reaching a total of 116.4 million tons in Q1 of 2024, up from 101 million tons year on year, representing a growth of 15.3%.
According to a recent report on “Port Activities in Morocco for Q1-2024,” national traffic (excluding transshipment) amounted to approximately 60.8 million tons, reflecting a 13% increase. Transshipment activity reached 55.6 million tons, marking a rise of 17.8% compared to Q1 of 2023.
The report also noted that transshipment accounted for a significant 47.8% of the total port traffic by the end of June 2024, followed by imports at 32.2%, exports at 16.3%, and bunkering at 2.9%.
Imports totaled 37.5 million tons, up 15.9%, while exports reached 18.9 million tons, an increase of 13.2%. Bunkering activity amounted to 923,400 tons, up 10.6%, due to fuel supply for ships passing through the Strait of Gibraltar. In contrast, the transshipment of coal saw a decline, totaling 4.9 million tons, down 8.4%.
Container traffic grew to 5.6 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking a 16% increase. Imported petroleum products reached 6.3 million tons, up 9.8%, while grain imports rose to 5.4 million tons, an increase of 26.2%. Phosphates and related products reached 16.1 million tons, up 44.6%. International road transport saw an increase of 3.6%, totaling 287,749 units, and new vehicles rose by 8% to 347,002 units.
Passenger traffic in Moroccan ports increased to 1.47 million by the end of June 2024, representing a 7% rise from the previous year. However, cruise tourism saw a decline of 23%, with 96,450 cruise passengers recorded.
The report also highlighted a decrease in the volume of coastal and traditional fishery products unloaded in Moroccan ports, which fell by 10.2% to 469,715 tons.