Morocco’s ports have reached a historic milestone, handling a total of 241.2 million tons of cargo in 2024. This represents a remarkable increase from the 209.4 million tons recorded in 2023, reflecting a 15.2% surge. The announcement by the Ministry of Equipment and Water highlights the growing strength of the nation’s economy and the strategic importance of its ports in facilitating regional and international trade.
Transshipment continues to lead port operations, with a recorded volume of 115.6 million tons—a 19.5% increase. The Tanger Med port complex remains the crown jewel of Morocco’s logistics infrastructure, maintaining its status as a key Mediterranean hub. Tanger Med processed 112.6 million tons of container traffic, representing a 21.3% growth compared to last year. In terms of TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), the port handled 9.6 million, a year-over-year increase of 18.9%. Its location near the Strait of Gibraltar cements its importance as a critical link in global trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and beyond.
Imports saw a significant increase, totaling 75.5 million tons, up by 12.4% from 2023. This surge was driven by heightened imports of key commodities such as grains, which rose by 14.5%, sulfur by 26%, and hydrocarbons by 8.3%. Meanwhile, coal imports fell by 8.3%, reflecting Morocco’s gradual shift toward renewable energy sources and a diversification of its energy mix.
Exports rose to 40.8 million tons, marking a 13.3% increase. The mining and chemical industries were at the forefront of this growth. Exports of raw phosphate surged by 48.4%, while sulfuric acid shipments skyrocketed by 151.9%. Phosphoric acid exports also showed strong momentum, with a 32.2% rise. These numbers underscore the vital role of Morocco’s mineral and chemical sectors in driving the country’s international trade.
Passenger traffic experienced substantial growth, exceeding 5.3 million travelers in 2024, an increase of 11.8%. This growth was largely fueled by the success of the “Marhaba 2024” initiative, which facilitated travel for Moroccans living abroad. The ports of Tanger Med and Tanger Ville handled more than 82% of all passenger traffic.
Cruise tourism also made a strong comeback, recording a 40.1% increase. The total number of cruise passengers reached 270,483, a clear sign of Morocco’s rising appeal as a destination for maritime tourism.
In contrast, domestic coastal trade, which involves transport between Moroccan ports, saw a 5% decline. This decrease was mainly due to a sharp reduction of 44.4% in the transport of hydrocarbons. Additionally, coastal and artisanal fish landings dropped slightly by 1%, reaching 1.33 million tons.
Morocco’s ports welcomed over 28,787 commercial vessels in 2024, representing a 3% increase from the previous year. This rise reflects intensified maritime activity, driven by modernized infrastructure and efficient port management practices. These continued investments are positioning Morocco as a leading player in the global maritime sector.
