Morocco on the move

North Africa’s strategic hub Morocco’s Tanger Med port connects with 174 ports worldwide; its annual volume of nine million containers reflect the North African nation’s emergence as a logistics hub

There’s good reason why Morocco ranks among ECU Worldwide’s top 25 markets. With its strategic location on the Strait of Gibraltar and the unique distinction of being part of both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, Morocco’s Tanger Med Port is a global logistics hub with direct connections to 174 ports worldwide.

Handling an annual volume of nine million containers, one million cars and 700,000 trucks — besides being a transit for seven million passengers — Tanger Med has established Morocco’s status as the gateway to North and West Africa. With Chinese investors committing investments of billions of shillings in recent months and Morocco tipped to join the influential Economic Committee of West African nations, Morocco is set for a huge infrastructural upgrade, which will further establish its position as the key logistics hub in the region.

Spelling out the huge potential in the Moroccan market, ECU Worldwide’s Rene Wernli, Regional CEO — India, ISC, Middle East & Africa says, ”The logistics sector, contributing over 6% to the Moroccan economy, has been identified as the engine of economic growth. With huge investments earmarked across the sector, Morocco is among the key markets with high potential for ECU Worldwide.”

A growing market

Morocco’s proximity to Europe and its relatively low labour costs make it an attractive trade market, with volumes increasing by the year. The country’s strategic location makes it integral to China’s One Belt One Road plans for the African continent, as a result of which the Asian giant has firmed significant investments in the country’s infrastructure — and by extension, its logistics industry. This will pave the way for faster access to newer markets, ensuring Morocco’s growth in the years to come.

Conscious about its prospects, Morocco has capitalised on building a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, aerospace, automotive, phosphates, textiles and apparel. Morocco has simultaneously increased investments in its ports, transportation and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a centre and conduit for business throughout Africa. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements, most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier, are giving a boost to Morocco’s competitiveness. With a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation and gradually falling unemployment, Morocco is a country on the move.

ECU in Morocco

With key trade routes to and from the country, and significant volumes of import and export items, Morocco has emerged as an important market for ECU Worldwide. While its key export markets are Spain, France, Russia and Italy, Morocco imports from markets as diverse as Europe, China, US, Turkey and India. Keeping with the potential of the growing market, ECU Worldwide is expanding its footprint in the country and offering its industry-leading services and facilities as part of its Morocco operations.

Operating through its office in the economic capital of Casablanca with its 32-strong team, ECU Worldwide Morocco meets multiple logistics requirements — from sea, air and rail freight to reefer cargo, trucking, door-to-door services, customs clearance and vessel agency services. ”We provide in-bonded, out-bonded and general warehousing and distribution services, through our own warehouse space of 3,000 square metres,” says Khadija Douma, Country Manager, ECU Worldwide Morocco, adding that the Morocco team is dedicated to giving five-star service to customers.

ECU Worldwide Morocco regularly handles LCL-import services from Antwerp, Barcelona, Hamburg, Istanbul, Lyon, Marseille, Milan, Paris and Southampton. In terms of exports, ECU Worldwide Morocco offers a weekly LCL export service to Antwerp, besides regular and specialised services for other major ports.

One major complexity in the logistics sector in Morocco is customs clearance, and an established and experienced logistics partner like ECU Worldwide is key to a smooth supply-chain operation within Morocco. Having its operations in Morocco since 2002, ECU Worldwide Morocco brings its years of experience — and its global strength in offering 360-degree logistics solutions — to the fore, giving its customers best-in-class service as a logistics service provider.