The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on Friday a significant investment in Morocco’s maritime sector, providing a loan of up to MAD 690 million (approximately EUR 65 million) to Marsa Maroc SA, the leading port operator in the country.
EBRD’s loan aims to enhance the capacity of the multipurpose terminals at the ports of Casablanca and Jorf Lasfar, the bank’s statement reads. The funding will support infrastructure upgrades, including expanding terminal handling capacity, and facilitate the acquisition of hybrid cranes and electric rail cranes.
These improvements hope to strengthen the competitiveness of Morocco’s economy by ensuring greater efficiency and a higher level of service for maritime trade.
The project is also aligned with Morocco’s sustainability goals. Implementing more energy-efficient electric rail cranes and expanded terminal capacity will result in lower greenhouse gas emissions per unit of cargo. Additionally, the civil works at the northwestern Jorf Lasfar terminal will incorporate climate resilience measures to mitigate the impact rising sea levels, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the port infrastructure.
This loan is supported by a first-loss risk cover provided by the EU through its European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) under the Municipal Infrastructure and Industrial Resilience (MIIR) guarantee program. The EU’s involvement underscores the importance of the partnership between the EU and Morocco in fostering sustainable infrastructure development.
The loan agreement was signed by EBRD’s President Odile Renaud-Basso and Marsa Maroc’s CEO Tarik El Aroussi. President Renaud-Basso highlighted the significance of the project for Morocco’s economic development, noting that the maritime sector is crucial to the country’s trade. “With over 95% of the country’s trade being conducted through sea ports, the maritime sector is a cornerstone of Morocco’s economic development,” she stressed.
Mr El Aroussi said: “This loan will enable Marsa Maroc to improve the attractiveness of its terminals, providing our customers with sustainable port facilities, offering more capacity to serve and enhancing the competitiveness of Moroccan trade.”
In addition to the infrastructure enhancements, the EBRD says it will assist Marsa Maroc in its digital transformation, funded through EU-backed technical cooperation activities.
This includes the development and implementation of advanced digital solutions at the Casablanca multipurpose terminal, as well as a gender-responsive digital upskilling program for employees, contributing to greater inclusivity and technological advancement within the maritime sector.
Patricia Llombart, EU Ambassador to Morocco, also praised the collaboration, stating that the joint operation demonstrated the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting Morocco in advancing sustainable infrastructure and digital transformation.
“The Morocco-EU Green Partnership allows us to move further in our joint commitment to address climate change, including with a decarbonized economy. Moroccan ports are key to decarbonizing maritime transport and international trade,” explained Llombart.
Marsa Maroc, which operates terminals in 11 ports in Morocco and Benin, plays a central role in the country’s maritime industry. The company handles a wide variety of goods and services, including containers, bulk cargo, liquid and solid bulk, Ro-Ro, and passenger services.
To date, the EBRD has invested nearly EUR 5 billion in Morocco through 106 projects, with a focus on sustainable energy, infrastructure reform, private sector financing, and support for non-sovereign enterprises.