Starting this September, Marsa Maroc will launch a major strategic study aimed at overhauling the infrastructure used to receive butane gas at the port of Mohammedia. Developed in collaboration with SOMAS and the National Ports Agency, the initiative seeks to modernize Morocco’s LPG logistics network and identify tangible ways to improve efficiency across the supply chain.
At the heart of this project lies the ambition to rethink how the port operates. Among the scenarios being considered is the possibility of accommodating two gas tankers at the same time at the oil terminal. This would involve a technical assessment of how simultaneous loading and unloading operations could be safely and effectively managed. The study will also explore the potential of developing short-sea shipping routes for butane between Moroccan ports, a move that could streamline inter-port deliveries and reduce logistical bottlenecks.
The strategic review will include a comprehensive evaluation of current facilities and procedures—not only under normal conditions but also in the event of operational disruptions. The goal is to produce concrete recommendations, whether through new construction, upgrades, or capacity expansions, to prepare the infrastructure for future demands.
SOMAS, the country’s leading gas storage operator, will play a pivotal role in this effort. With a total storage capacity of 200,000 tons, the company alone accounts for over 80% of Morocco’s national butane storage and supplies more than half of the country’s LPG needs. Using underground salt caverns linked directly to the Mohammedia port, SOMAS receives shipments, stores them, and redistributes the gas via pipelines or through its various loading centers.
As a central pillar in Morocco’s energy logistics network, SOMAS relies on its port-integrated infrastructure to serve the country’s major gas distributors. The upcoming study is expected to lay the groundwork for upgrading these facilities in response to rising demand and increasingly rigorous logistics standards.
