Morocco’s leading port operator, Marsa Maroc, is solidifying its presence on the African continent through strategic investments in Djibouti and Benin. The company announced plans to invest in Damerjog Oil FZE, which is spearheading the construction of an oil and gas port on Djibouti’s Gulf of Aden coast. The exact value of the investment has not been disclosed, but it reflects Marsa Maroc’s ambitions to play a larger role in East Africa’s logistics supply chains.
To oversee this new venture, Marsa Maroc has established a subsidiary, Marsa Maroc International Logistics, which created a dedicated branch named Marsa Djibouti. This entity will manage the company’s operations in Djibouti, a region recognized as a critical logistical hub connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
The expansion effort also includes Marsa Benin, another newly established branch under Marsa Maroc International Logistics. Marsa Benin has been tasked with managing Terminals 1 and 5 at the Port of Cotonou, a vital port in West Africa that handles significant regional trade.
In June 2024, Marsa Maroc further strengthened its operational capacity by securing a contract to manage a container terminal at Morocco’s Nador West Med port. The terminal boasts a capacity exceeding three million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), positioning it as a key asset in the region’s trade infrastructure.
Listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange, Marsa Maroc currently oversees operations at nine Moroccan ports, including the major facilities at Tangier Med and Casablanca. The company continues to explore new opportunities across the African continent, focusing on public-private partnerships to expand its influence and enhance regional trade connectivity.
These latest investments mark a significant step in Marsa Maroc’s strategy to extend its reach beyond Morocco, tapping into the growing demand for modern logistics solutions in Africa’s thriving economies.