A $300 million international tender to build and operate a commercial shipyard in Casablanca, seen as a strategic pillar of Morocco’s Atlantic initiative and maritime ambitions, has come under intense scrutiny as South Korean investors intensify efforts to secure the contract, prompting warnings over foreign pressure and economic sovereignty.
The project, launched via an international call for tenders in April, aims to help Morocco reach a national fleet of 100 commercial vessels by 2040.
However, unverified reports suggesting a Korean group has already secured the contract have sparked criticism from national business figures and claims of premature sidelining of Spanish, Chinese, and domestic contenders.
In a statement to Hespress, Hassan Sentissi El Idrissi, president of the Moroccan Association of Exporters (ASMEX), denounced the spread of “baseless leaks” suggesting Korean investors had clinched the deal.
He clarified that the technical evaluation stage is still ongoing, with the financial offers set to be reviewed on October 17, and a final decision only expected by October 27 or 28, at which point the agreement would be formalized.
“Who stands to benefit from leaking information in favor of one investor over others?” Sentissi asked, cautioning against awarding such a critical contract to foreign entities, especially from nations that do not support Morocco’s territorial integrity.
“How can we hand over a strategic deal to a country that does not recognize the Moroccan Sahara?” he added, referencing King Mohammed VI’s 2023 Green March speech emphasizing national sovereignty in external partnerships.
Calling for vigilance, Sentissi stressed the need for a domestic-led shipbuilding industry aligned with the monarchy’s Atlantic vision and national security.
He argued that partnerships with geographically closer allies like Spain would be operationally advantageous, given their understanding of Morocco’s maritime conditions.
Collaboration with China, home to the world’s largest shipyards, could bring advanced technical know-how within a multilateral consortium model that safeguards Moroccan interests.
He also questioned the viability of Korean-led operations in the Mediterranean context, given their distance and possible logistical inefficiencies, implying that strategic sectors should not be offshored lightly.
The Istiqlal party executive recalled Morocco’s once-robust maritime fleet under the now-privatized Comanav company, which was dismantled, reducing the national fleet from 60 vessels to just 13.
He noted that recent royal directives urged revitalization of the industry, prompting the government to open public financing channels through the Central Guarantee Fund. However, operational hurdles reportedly stalled the initiative.
“The time has come to reverse course,” Sentissi concluded, calling for the reopening of Moroccan shipyard programs, both for commercial and fishing vessels, especially as Morocco’s maritime area exceeds its landmass and local institutes already train specialized cadres for the sector.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.