The first quarter of 2024 has marked a significant milestone for Moroccan ports, demonstrating robust growth and resilience amidst a fluctuating global economic landscape. The overall volume of commercial traffic handled by our ports surged to 55.2 million tonnes, up from 48.8 million tonnes in the same period last year, a remarkable increase of 13.3%. This impressive performance underscores Morocco’s strategic importance in global trade and its capability to adapt and thrive.
Domestic traffic played a crucial role, recording a volume of 28.3 million tonnes, reflecting an 8% increase. Even more notable is the transshipment activity, which reached 26.9 million tonnes, representing a growth of 19.5% compared to the first quarter of 2023. This surge highlights Morocco’s growing status as a pivotal transshipment hub, catering to international trade routes.
Transshipment activity now dominates the traffic distribution, accounting for 48.7% of the total. Imports followed with 31.5%, exports at 16%, and cabotage at 3.1%. The import sector alone saw a volume of 17.4 million tonnes, up by 11.3%, while exports recorded an 8.8 million tonnes volume, a 7.5% increase. Despite a 15.2% decline in cabotage, it still managed a volume of 1.7 million tonnes. Hydrocarbon bunkering also rose by 5.7%, reaching 422.8 thousand tonnes, benefiting ships transiting through the critical Strait of Gibraltar.
Strategically, the ports have excelled in handling a variety of key traffics. Container traffic saw a substantial rise, with 2.6 million TEU, marking a 16.8% increase. Imported hydrocarbons rose to 2.9 million tonnes, a 9% uptick, and cereals experienced a significant boost of 40.4%, totaling 2.7 million tonnes. Phosphates and related products grew by 25.2%, reaching 6.8 million tonnes, while international road transport saw an 8.3% increase with 149,131 units. New vehicle traffic also flourished, with 173,199 units, up by 19.1%. Conversely, coal traffic declined by 9.5%, totaling 2.5 million tonnes.
Passenger traffic, however, has faced challenges. Moroccan ports recorded 576,955 passengers by the end of March 2024, a 4.9% decrease from the previous year. Cruise activity suffered a more dramatic decline of 45.4%, with only 37,456 cruise passengers, reflecting broader industry trends and geopolitical concerns affecting travel.
The fishing sector also experienced setbacks. The volume of coastal and artisanal maritime fishing products landed dropped by 14%, reaching 181,280 tonnes in the first quarter of 2024. This decline underscores the need for strategic interventions to support this vital industry segment.
In summary, the growth in commercial traffic at Moroccan ports is a testament to the country’s strategic investments and operational excellence. While some sectors face challenges, the overall trajectory is one of progress and resilience. As Morocco continues to strengthen its position in global trade, the focus should remain on sustainable growth, innovation, and addressing sector-specific challenges to ensure all aspects of port activity flourish.
The remarkable achievements of the first quarter of 2024 signal a promising future for Moroccan ports, reinforcing their critical role in connecting markets and driving economic growth. With continued strategic focus and investment, Moroccan ports are poised to navigate and lead through the complexities of global trade dynamics.