Morocco has officially launched an international tender for the management of its newly completed Casablanca shipyard, the largest in Africa, under a 30-year concession.
The strategic objective is to position the country as a regional maritime hub for ship maintenance, repair, and potentially construction.
The $300 million facility marks a significant upgrade in Morocco’s port infrastructure. Managed by the National Ports Agency (ANP), the tender invites experienced shipyard operators to submit proposals for the development, outfitting, and operation of the site.
“We aim to capture part of the demand currently handled by the overcrowded shipyards in southern Europe and serve African vessels en route to Europe,” said Abdellatif Lhouaoui, ANP’s head of communications, in a statement to Bloomberg on Friday.
The new shipyard boasts advanced capabilities, including a dry dock measuring 244 meters in length and 40 meters in width, and a vertical lift system capable of handling ships weighing up to 9,000 tons.
This infrastructure far surpasses the country’s existing, smaller shipyards in Casablanca and Agadir, which have mainly served the local fishing fleet.
In addition to commercial vessels, the facility will allow Morocco to service its military fleet domestically, reducing the need to spend foreign currency on overseas maintenance.
The tender also allows bidders to include a shipbuilding component, although it is optional. “It’s a niche activity that bidders are free to include. We want to replicate the success of our automotive industry,” Lhouaoui added.
With this initiative, Morocco aims to strengthen its maritime sovereignty, promote regional industrial development, and generate skilled employment in a high-potential sector.
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