A new X-ray cargo scanner has started operating at Tangier Med Port, helping Moroccan customs inspect containers more quickly and strengthen security without slowing trade. The US Embassy in Morocco said the scanner was provided by the US Mission to Morocco. US Ambassador Duke Buchan said the United States was proud to see the equipment enter service at the port.
The embassy said the scanner will help customs officers check cargo more accurately and detect dangerous or banned items while keeping goods moving through the port.
“It will enhance the level of security surveillance within the port by enabling customs authorities to conduct precise inspections of cargo. This contributes to detecting prohibited and dangerous materials without impacting the fluidity of trade flow.”
The scanner will be operated by customs officers who have received specialised training. The embassy said it will improve Morocco’s ability to detect “illicit weapons, dual use materials and components, as well as various shipments that could pose a threat to security.”
The embassy said the project shows the close partnership between Morocco and the United States on security and trade.
“It embodies the commitment of both countries to strengthening control and inspection mechanisms in accordance with the best international standards, thereby supporting the security of supply chains and commercial exchange flows.”
Tangier Med is the largest container port in Africa and the Mediterranean. It handles more than eight million containers each year and connects to more than 180 ports in 80 countries.
The scanner uses high-energy X-rays that can see through up to 400mm of steel, allowing customs officers to inspect sealed containers without opening them. It can also tell the difference between materials such as plastics, glass and metals by using two different X ray energy levels.
Trucks can drive through the scanner at speeds of between 5 and 15km/h, allowing around 100 to 150 vehicles to be checked every hour. A built-in safety system keeps the X-ray beam off while the driver’s cab passes through.
The scanner’s software also compares the scan with shipping documents. If the contents do not match what has been declared, the shipment is flagged for further checks. It can also help identify weapons and other high-risk materials.
The scanner is part of wider security cooperation between Morocco and the United States, including programmes that provide equipment and training to stop the illegal movement of weapons and sensitive goods.
Morocco is the only African country with a free trade agreement with the United States. The agreement came into force in 2006, and trade between the two countries has more than quadrupled since then.
