With the creation of Marsa Maroc international logistics, Marsa Djibouti and Marsa Bénin, the historic operator of Moroccan ports confirms its ambitions to become a key player in African logistics chains. These new subsidiaries, which will be created in 2025, illustrate the group’s desire to expand its investment portfolio and strengthen its presence on the continent, by focusing on strategic infrastructures and local partnerships.
Marsa Maroc, the historic operator managing Moroccan ports, is taking a further step in the realization of its continental expansion strategy in Africa. The big news in this regard concerns the creation of three new international subsidiaries: Marsa Maroc international logistics, Marsa Djibouti and Marsa Bénin. These new entities, formalized in the last Official Bulletin (BO) of December 26, 2024 – and due to come into being during the year 2025, as stipulated in the BO – illustrate the ambition of Marsa Maroc to strengthen its role in African and global supply chains.
An integrated international positioning strategy
From a strategic point of view, the creation of these subsidiaries is part of Marsa Maroc’s roadmap aimed at becoming a key player in the management of port infrastructure and logistics services on the African continent. The establishment of this new subsidiary structure reflects a desire to expand the company’s investment portfolio while creating synergies with local partners.
In this context, Marsa Maroc international logistics, with an initial capital of 300,000 DH, will be responsible for piloting the group’s international investment projects. This company will allow Marsa Maroc to diversify its activities and ensure effective management of port and logistics projects in Africa, particularly in emerging markets.
Marsa Djibouti, a hub for reloading petroleum products
The creation of Marsa Djibouti marks a strategic step for Marsa Maroc in the East Africa region. The subsidiary will participate in the capital of Damerjog oil jetty FZE, a company in charge of the development and management of the Damerjog oil terminal, located in the free zone of Djibouti. With this establishment, Marsa Maroc intends to capture a significant share of logistics flows linked to the storage and reloading of petroleum products, in particular for the Ethiopian and Djiboutian markets.
Marsa Benin, a strategic presence in West Africa
The subsidiary Marsa Bénin, for its part, will allow Marsa Maroc to operate at the port of Cotonou, Benin. The company will be entrusted with the management of two strategic docks as part of a delegated management contract signed with Bénin Manutentions SA.
This project is part of Marsa Maroc’s partnership with the Beninese authorities aimed at improving port infrastructure and strengthening handling capacities in this region. The port of Cotonou being a major commercial crossroads for West Africa, the management of these docks will allow Marsa Maroc to access important markets such as Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso.
Long term vision
The creation of these subsidiaries marks the start of a new era for Marsa Maroc. The group is already considering new expansion opportunities, notably through public-private partnerships for the management of ports in other African countries. It should be noted that Marsa Maroc’s strategy is based on three main axes.
First of all, the diversification of markets, since the establishment in East and West Africa should serve Marsa Morocco to diversify its sources of income and reduce its dependence on Moroccan ports. Second axis, the strengthening of logistics infrastructures, the group investing in strategic port infrastructures, in partnership with local players.
And finally, the aspect of strategic partnerships to which Marsa Maroc attaches particular interest, favoring partnerships with public and private institutions to guarantee efficient management of projects. This dynamic of expansion of Marsa Maroc therefore takes place in a context where the Kingdom is consolidating its position as a strategic hub between Europe and Africa, playing a central role in trade and investments on the continent.
HK / ECO Inspirations
