Japan bets big on Morocco's maritime sector
Japan, a country known for its important maritime traffic, both passenger and commercial, has turned its attention in an important way to Morocco.
The Moroccan kingdom continues to expand its economic and commercial activity exponentially around the world, following a development and investment attraction plan that plans to place the nation among the major powers on the international scene.
The plan drawn up under the directions of King Mohammed VI and developed by the government team includes the New Investment Charter, which foresees an injection of public money of some 45 billion euros in the coming years to develop national infrastructures and industries, and also a state subsidy of up to 30% of the amount of foreign business investment if there is an investment of 5 million euros or a minimum of 50 employees or if a company has 150 stable employees, which is very attractive for all those companies interested in investing in the North African country.
At this point, the Japanese shipping company Ocean Network Express has entered the Moroccan shipping market with the launch of Ocean Network Express Morocco, a joint venture with the Moroccan company Universal Shipping.
This joint venture between the two companies is a major initiative to boost the Moroccan maritime sector as this new entity, by integrating advanced digital solutions, aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of shipping services for local companies, while facilitating international trade.
Trade movements through maritime transport are very important for Morocco as they account for a very high percentage of total trade. The maritime route is essential for the Moroccan kingdom, which has ports of great importance that support very significant traffic, with the great example of the Port of Tangier Med, the most important port on the African continent and the busiest in the entire Mediterranean Sea.
The Moroccan port of Tangier Med Port handled a total of 8,617,410 TEUs (20-foot containers) in 2023, representing a growth of 13.4% compared to 2022. These figures are equivalent to 95% of the nominal capacity of the port, a target which has been reached four years ahead of schedule, according to the specialised publication assafinaonline.com. These figures show the magnitude of the northern Moroccan port.
Casablanca and Tangier, focal points
Following the new partnership between the Japanese shipping company Ocean Network Express and the Moroccan company Universal Shipping, the establishment of two strategic commercial centres in Casablanca and Tangier was planned, which will enable the Japanese company to maximise logistics coverage of the entire Moroccan territory.
The aim is to provide advanced and reliable shipping services accompanied by innovative digital solutions to customers on Moroccan territory.
According to a joint statement from both companies, the start of September will represent an important step in the trajectory of Ocean Network Express, which is a major player in the field of shipping and relies on innovation and technology to provide advanced logistics solutions.
The joint venture is called Ocean Network Express Morocco and signifies a close partnership between the Japanese shipping giant Ocean Network Express and Universal Shipping, a leader in the Moroccan maritime sector, to enhance their ability to meet the needs of the local market.
The new joint venture is not limited to providing traditional shipping services, but also includes innovative digital solutions that help simplify and improve logistics management for Moroccan companies.
Casablanca and Tangier will be the main hubs or headquarters of the new Moroccan-Japanese joint venture. These are not randomly chosen destinations. Casablanca is the financial heart of Morocco and Tangier is the main maritime enclave in the north of the Moroccan kingdom, boosted above all by the imposing port of Tangier Med, the jewel in the Moroccan port crown.
These two enclaves are intended to ensure optimal coverage of the country's logistical needs and facilitate trade between Morocco and the rest of the world.
The details of the Casablanca office are as follows: number 49 Allal Ben Abdellah Street, Allal Ben Abellah Centre No. 33, Casablanca; and those of the Tangier office: Tangier Med Port Centre 8 - Level 1 of number 8103, Tangier; as reported by the company Ocean Network Express itself.
Founded in 2017 as a result of the merger of the container operations of three Japanese giants, Ocean Network Express has quickly established itself as a global leader, with a modern fleet of more than 240 container vessels, serving more than 120 countries and 200 ports worldwide.
The company has adopted advanced digital initiatives such as real-time shipment tracking, online booking systems and data analytics platforms to improve processes and provide full transparency to its customers, enabling it to stand out in a highly competitive market. This is very much in line with the technological face of Japan, one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world.
This strategic move aims to accelerate the growth of Ocean Network Express and expand its presence in the rapidly developing markets of the African continent.
A partnership that will undoubtedly serve Morocco to further develop an important part of its shipping industry.