Morocco's Strategic Maritime Expansion Through Dakhla
In a bold move to enhance its maritime capabilities, Morocco is setting its sights on the southern port city of Dakhla as a pivotal Atlantic hub. This initiative, articulated by Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh during the National Maritime Conference held in Tangier, aims to establish new direct maritime routes connecting Dakhla with Europe, Africa, and other global destinations. The overarching objective of this endeavor is to significantly bolster trade and logistics capacity, thereby integrating Morocco’s southern provinces into vital international shipping corridors.
Kayouh emphasized that the development of maritime routes from Dakhla, in conjunction with Agadir, is critical for strengthening the kingdom's economic ties and facilitating exporters' access to international markets. The proposed connections are designed to link Dakhla directly to various ports across Europe, West Africa, and the broader Atlantic region, positioning Morocco as a strategic bridge between continents. Furthermore, the Moroccan government is prioritizing the expansion of transport links across the Strait of Gibraltar, which is notably one of the busiest maritime crossings for both passenger and freight traffic between Morocco and Europe.
In line with these ambitions, a first round of tenders has been initiated to enhance passenger and freight transport services across the strait, with a specific focus on strengthening and diversifying maritime connections with Spain. This strategic initiative aims to alleviate congestion and improve logistical efficiency, particularly during peak travel periods, such as the annual “Marhaba” summer transit operation that accommodates approximately 3.7 million passengers and 800,000 vehicles each year.
Morocco's commitment to expanding its maritime capacity underscores the nation's reliance on sea transport, which constitutes around 95% of its external trade, in contrast to the global average where shipping accounts for over 90% of international trade. Kayouh highlighted that this maritime strategy builds upon significant investments in port infrastructure made over recent decades, including the development of ports like Tanger Med, Nador West Med, and the forthcoming Dakhla Atlantique port. Such developments are not only vital for enhancing maritime trade but also for solidifying Morocco's role as a major player in regional and global logistics.
As reported by northafricapost.com.
