Shipbuilding: Morocco Aims to Strengthen Its Position in Africa
As part of a new strategic step to reinforce its industrial sovereignty and growing role on the African continent, Morocco is preparing to enter the shipbuilding industry in a major way through a massive project to create the largest shipyard in Africa, located in Casablanca.
The project, with an estimated cost of around $300 million, fits into the kingdom’s broader vision of diversifying its industrial economy and boosting its competitiveness, especially in high-value-added sectors. The new shipyard will cover more than 210,000 square meters and will include a dry dock measuring 244 meters in length and 40 meters in width, along with a giant crane capable of lifting ships weighing up to 9,000 tons.
What stands out in this project is not only its engineering scale, but also Morocco’s ambition to compete with shipyards in Southern Europe, particularly in Spain and France. The shipyard is expected to become a key hub in the Mediterranean for the maintenance and repair of both commercial and military vessels, making it a preferred destination for shipowners from Africa, Europe, and even Latin America.
The project is also expected to enhance integration between shipbuilding and related sectors such as spare parts manufacturing, electronic systems, and logistics services. It is likely to provide a significant boost to Morocco’s naval defense development programs, in a regional context marked by fast-paced strategic shifts.
Having become the leading car exporter in Africa and achieving tangible success in the aerospace and renewable energy sectors, Morocco’s entry into shipbuilding completes its ambitious vision as the country advances steadily towards becoming a rising industrial power on the continent.
The success of the project will depend on effective implementation, attracting investment, and ensuring the availability of qualified human resources.
