Morocco to Grow Its Fleet of Commercial Vessels Amid Rising Global Demand

With increasing challenges in the Strait of Hormuz and heightened demand for shipping across the Mediterranean, Morocco is taking significant steps to bolster its logistics sector by developing a fleet of 100 commercial container ships over the next 15 years, Atalayar reported. The port of Tanger Med has already become a key entry point to the region.
The Kingdom’s government has prioritized maritime expansion, setting in motion plans to significantly increase Morocco’s shipping capacity. The fleet, which will include ships from both the public and private sectors, is intended to meet increased maritime traffic expected by the end of 2024.
A strategic effort to ensure Morocco’s ports remain competitive on a global scale in the face of ongoing market volatility, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Mohamed Abdeljalil, will be reviewing the plan in the coming weeks.
The port of Tanger Med, recognized as Africa’s largest industrial zone and the second largest globally after Dubai’s Jebel Ali, continues to be a regional leader. For the fifth consecutive year, the port has led in container throughput across Africa and the Mediterranean basin, underlining Morocco’s rising status as a global logistics hub.
Tanger Med’s strategic position on the Strait of Gibraltar has made it a crucial economic artery, connected to more than 180 international ports. In 2023, the port handled 8.61 million containers, 13.4% more than the previous year, and processed 107 million tons of cargo—accounting for more than half of the goods handled across Morocco’s ports.
The deputy director of the port, Rachid Al-Hawari, projects container traffic to surpass 9 million in 2024, a 3.5% increase over the record 2023 figures.
Tangier Med is expected to receive a USD 714 million investment over the coming years to accommodate this growing demand. The funding will be directed toward expanding the passenger and truck terminals and modernizing the import area.
The World Bank’s report on the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency shows that the expansion will raise the port’s container handling capacity to one million units, further positioning Morocco as a leading player in global maritime trade.
Along with port expansion, Morocco’s shipping sector has received substantial financial backing. Between 2021 and 2023, USD 50 million was invested in the country’s naval industry to increase export volumes to USD 200 million through the production of key maritime equipment, such as life jackets, navigation systems, and communication devices.
Morocco’s maritime sector is expected to witness robust growth in the coming years. The country’s Economic, Social, and Environmental Council has forecast that the maritime industry will reach USD 21.29 billion by the end of 2024.
In line with this projection, Mawred Intelligence estimates the industry will grow 6.11% annually over the next four years, driven by both government initiatives and increased demand from international trade.
With more than 3,500 kilometers of coastline and an exclusive economic zone of 1.2 million square kilometers, Morocco is ideally positioned to capitalize on maritime trade routes. According to the Ministry of Transport, the country currently has 43 operational ports, 14 of which are open to international trade. The port infrastructure, combined with lower labor costs compared to other Mediterranean nations, makes Morocco particularly competitive in this sector.
Ahmed Al-Shami, chairman of Morocco’s Economic Council, has highlighted the importance of transferring successful models from other industries, such as automotive and aviation, into the maritime sector.
These industries have thrived in Morocco due to the implementation of strategic incentives, reduced tariffs, and favorable tax regimes—measures that are now being considered for the shipping sector under the newly revised Investment Charter.
Tanger Med remains a pivotal gateway for goods entering Europe and Africa. Its role as the largest port in the Mediterranean for container traffic is underscored by its continuous connection to international markets.
In 2023, the port handled over 8.61 million containers, with volumes expected to exceed 9 million in the coming year. Beyond container traffic, the port processed 107 million tons of cargo in 2023, a 6% increase from 2022, reinforcing its standing as the main logistics hub in North Africa.