New maritime route to boost North African trade

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

The initiation of a new maritime trade route, which is expected to commence operations in March, has been announced, aiming to enhance trade among Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, and Spain. The Tunis Afrique Presse Agency (TAP) has reported that this route will focus on container transport, establishing a link between the port of Sfax and various destinations in Morocco, Spain, and Libya.

In a conversation with TAP, Malek Aloui, acting as the spokesperson for the maritime initiative, revealed that the final stages of administrative and logistical preparations are on the verge of completion. Aloui described the new shipping service as “competitive,” underscoring its benefits such as cost-effectiveness and reduced travel times. Specifically, the journey to Morocco is expected to take only four days, whereas the trip to Spain will last about six days. With departures from Sfax scheduled bi-monthly, this service is anticipated to significantly enhance business connectivity.

TAP’s report further suggests that Sfax stands to gain considerably from this venture by strengthening its commercial relationships with major regional partners. The establishment of this route is aligned with Morocco’s strategic goal to fortify its role as a key maritime trade hub in the region.

In November 2022, Mohammed Abdeljalil, Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, disclosed the ministry’s initiative to conduct a study aimed at developing a “strong and competitive” national maritime commercial fleet. By 2023, Morocco was actively developing significant port hubs along its Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines. Moreover, the country was focusing on improving infrastructure to connect these ports with industrial areas via highways and railways.

Such strategic developments have already positioned Morocco to attract international investments in maritime transportation, enhancing its global maritime connectivity index. Morocco now ranks 20th worldwide in this regard, boasting connections to over 184 ports across 71 countries.

The launch of this maritime route not only promises to amplify trade relations among the involved nations but also has the potential to significantly benefit the tourism sector. By facilitating easier and more efficient transportation of goods, the route is expected to enhance regional connectivity, making it more accessible for tourists and contributing to the economic development of these destinations. This increased accessibility could lead to a surge in tourism, as travelers find it easier to explore the rich cultural and historical offerings of Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, and Spain, further enriching the tourism landscape of North Africa and beyond.

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