Morocco is poised to make its shipbuilding industry a central pillar of its economy over the next 15 years, with plans to establish a fleet of 100 commercial vessels by 2040, according to the Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) annual report.
The government’s “Atlantic Front” program is spearheading this initiative, focusing on enhancing port infrastructure and naval facilities to reshape the nation’s economic landscape.
The Moroccan Ministry of Transport and Logistics has committed to increasing annual investment in the sector by six percent. To achieve these ambitious goals, the CESE, a governmental body, has developed a comprehensive national strategy outlining both short-term and long-term objectives.
A robust national shipbuilding industry would not only diversify Morocco’s economy but also promote technology transfer and foster local expertise. It would also reduce the country’s reliance on foreign shipyards for repairs and vessel acquisitions.
In the 2023 annual report, CESE President Ahmed Reda Chami underpinned Morocco’s potential to excel in the global shipbuilding market, noting that the country has “yet to fully capitalize on this opportunity.”
Morocco stands to gain significantly from the local production of naval vessels, thanks to its extensive 3,500-kilometer coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. The country also features over 43 ports, including 14 commercial ones, which are vital for maritime activities.
The Nador West Med port currently under construction is expected to further enhance both the local and national economies once it is in operation. This major project is designed to have the same capacity as the Tanger Med port had when it first began operations in 2007.
While the development of the Tanger Med port propelled Morocco from 33rd in the world as a maritime force in 2008 to 17th as of 2011, the Nador West Med project is anticipated to even further strengthen Morocco’s status as Africa’s maritime trade hub.