Casablanca, May 22, 2026 – The Europe Today: Morocco possesses all the necessary assets to build its development around a modern, sovereign, and forward-looking maritime strategy, Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh said during the opening of the first National Maritime Conference in Tangier.
Kayouh stated that Morocco’s political stability, advanced infrastructure, logistics expertise, and strategic geographic location position the country to play a central role in strengthening regional trade and facilitating Sahel countries’ access to international trade routes.
He highlighted the Royal Atlantic Initiative and the Royal Initiative aimed at enabling Sahel nations to access the Atlantic Ocean, describing them as reflections of the vision of Mohammed VI for regional connectivity, shared development, and economic integration.
The minister said Morocco continues to consolidate its role as a strategic platform linking Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic region.
He pointed to major infrastructure projects including the ports of Tanger Med, Nador West Med, and Dakhla Atlantique, alongside the modernization and expansion of ports in Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar, and Agadir.
Kayouh also underlined the ongoing development of railway networks linked to major ports, highways, logistics platforms, and dry ports across the country.
He described the maritime sector as a key pillar of Morocco’s broader development strategy, noting that several large-scale projects are being implemented, particularly in the southern provinces, covering not only ports but also roads, railways, and logistics infrastructure.
Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, praised King Mohammed VI’s vision for maritime development and investment.
Dominguez emphasized the strategic importance of the maritime sector, noting that it carries a significant share of global trade.
He also commended Morocco’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and its partnership with the IMO in promoting safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable maritime transport while safeguarding freedom of navigation.
Describing Tangier as a strategic crossroads between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Dominguez highlighted the importance of Tanger Med — the region’s leading port — as well as Morocco’s broader logistics and infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail, shipbuilding initiatives, and green fuel development.
The two-day conference has brought together government officials, representatives of international organizations, public institutions, economic operators, shipowners, port authorities, and experts from Morocco and abroad.
Discussions are focusing on the maritime sector’s contribution to the Royal Atlantic Initiative, improving Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic, building a competitive maritime fleet, governance and regulatory reforms, maritime logistics, innovation, workforce training, navigation safety, marine environmental protection, and Morocco’s sustainability commitments.
