The Ministry of Equipment and Water has reported positive news for Morocco's port traffic in 2023. Total volume surged from 195 million tons in 2022 to 209.4 million tons, representing a healthy 7.4% increase. This growth trend extends across both national and transshipment activities, showcasing the diverse strengths of the Kingdom's maritime infrastructure. Domestic traffic, excluding transshipment, reached approximately 112.7 million tons, reflecting a 2.3% year-on-year growth. Meanwhile, transshipment activity experienced a more significant 14% increase, contributing 96.7 million tons to the overall volume. This segment now constitutes a considerable 46.2% of the total port traffic, highlighting its growing importance within the maritime ecosystem. Examining the composition of port traffic, transshipment remains the dominant player at 46.2%. Imports follow closely at 32.1%, with exports occupying 17.2% of the share. Landing activities account for 3.8%, while ship fueling brings in the remaining 0.8%. Several key sectors within the port landscape witnessed noteworthy developments in 2023. Solidifying its position as a major logistical hub in the Mediterranean, Tangier Med Port saw a 13.7% surge in container transshipment and a 17.5% increase in fuel transshipment, solidifying its regional significance. Imports maintained stability at 67.2 million tons, observing increases in grains, sulfur, and fuels. However, a slight decline was noted in coal and phosphate imports. Exports experienced a positive 3.5% growth, reaching 36 million tons. This rise was driven primarily by fertilizers and clinker exports, although decreases in phosphate and sulfuric acid offset some of the gains. Clearance activities witnessed a moderate 2.7% increase, reaching 7.9 million tons. This growth can be attributed to a rise in container clearing and fuel-related activities. Despite a noticeable 8.2% decrease in ship fueling activities, resulting in a volume of 1.7 million tons, the sector continues to play a vital role in supporting maritime navigation. New vehicle imports experienced a remarkable 16% surge, with a total of 673,630 units imported. Notably, 77% of these vehicles were subsequently exported, highlighting Morocco's growing role in the vehicle trade. A significant 39.1% increase in passenger traffic was recorded, bringing the total to 4,785,223 individuals. The ports of Nador, Tangier Med, and TangierMedina were responsible for handling over 98% of this influx. The tourist cruise activity enjoyed a significant revival, with a 91.9% increase in cruise ship arrivals, translating to 192,996 passengers. This positive development bodes well for the future of tourism in Morocco. While coastal and traditional fishing experienced an 11% decline in volume, reaching 1.35 million tons, it remains a crucial contributor to the national economy and food security. Commercial ship arrivals witnessed a substantial 16% increase, with over 27,900 vessels navigating through Moroccan ports. This growth underscores the growing importance of Morocco as a maritime hub.
