Morocco launches Africa’s largest shipyard, raising concerns in Spain

Morocco has launched the largest shipyard on the African continent in Casablanca, in a strategic move to bolster its global industrial footprint and challenge European dominance in shipbuilding, Spanish media reported.

According to El Economista, the new facility will span the size of 30 football fields and feature cutting-edge infrastructure, including a 244-meter dry dock and a vertical lift capable of handling vessels weighing up to 9,000 tons. The project is backed by a $300 million government investment aimed at building 100 ships by 2040.

The shipyard initiative is part of Morocco’s broader strategy to develop a robust maritime industry. With a 3,500-kilometer coastline, 43 ports—14 of them commercial—and a rapidly growing logistics hub at Tangier-Med, which surpassed 10 million containers in 2024, the country is positioning itself as a major player in ship construction and repair.

The development has sparked concerns in Spain, which fears the shipyard could lure international clients away from southern European facilities, including Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia. Analysts warn that Morocco’s lower labor costs, streamlined regulations, and favorable tax policies could provide a competitive edge.

The shipyard is expected to serve not only domestic needs but also international shipowners seeking cost-effective and efficient alternatives to European yards. Faster turnaround times in Casablanca could undercut Spanish competitors, while enabling Morocco to maintain its own naval fleet, strengthen its defense capabilities, and reduce foreign currency outflows.

Observers have drawn parallels between this maritime venture and Morocco’s success in the automotive industry. The country has emerged as Africa’s leading car exporter, manufacturing over 500,000 vehicles annually for European markets. The sector now accounts for more than a quarter of Moroccan exports and 16% of GDP, with ambitious targets to produce 600,000 electric vehicles a year by 2030.

The shipyard forms part of Morocco’s industrial diversification strategy, which also includes aerospace development and export-driven manufacturing, supported by infrastructure upgrades, investment incentives, and a national shipbuilding project registry.