Marsa Maroc makes a strong move with a 45% stake in Spain's leading port operator

In a context where the European Union is Morocco's primary trading partner, accounting for nearly 65% of external trade, the partnership between Marsa Maroc and the Boluda Group takes on a particularly strategic dimension. Spain, as the main gateway for Moroccan exports to the EU and Morocco's top trading partner in 2024, plays a central role in these exchanges, with a significant portion passing through its ports. The partnership between Marsa Maroc and Boluda Corporacion Maritima is expected to strengthen and diversify maritime connections between the two countries. It will open new routes between Moroccan ports such as Nador West Med, Casablanca, Agadir, Laâyoune, and Dakhla, and Spanish ports including Cadiz, Sagunto, and the Canary Islands. This synergy, made possible by Marsa Maroc's investment in Boluda Maritime Terminals, paves the way for new opportunities for Moroccan exports and provides enhanced support for exporters through more integrated logistics solutions that are better connected to European markets. This operation reinforces Morocco's presence in the international port and logistics sectors and confirms Marsa Maroc's positioning as the leading Moroccan port operator at the heart of strategic Euro-African value chains. Following its expansion in Africa, particularly in Benin, Marsa Maroc is now extending its footprint into Europe as part of its international growth strategy. This new phase marks the operator's entry into the European market, aligning with its ambition to become a reference regional port player. This stake acquisition represents a significant advancement for Marsa Maroc, which now extends its presence on both sides of the Strait, thereby affirming its regional positioning. With 35 terminals in 20 ports, Marsa Maroc's geographical footprint has reached a new threshold. This operation is expected to double the operator's import/export container traffic and significantly enhance its role in maritime flows between Europe and Africa. This expansion confirms Marsa Maroc's ambition to become a key player in major regional and international logistics corridors. The stake acquisition is the second partnership between Marsa Maroc and the Boluda Group, following their cooperation in towing services at the Nador West Med port. The two groups share a strong strategic alignment, driven by a common goal of strengthening their positioning on the Morocco-Spain corridor, a major maritime axis between the two shores of the Strait, as well as internationally, particularly in Africa. Marsa Maroc is thus confirming its shift towards a structured international expansion, led by its subsidiary Marsa Maroc International Logistics (MMIL). This entity will embody and drive Marsa Maroc's international ambitions. The horizons for Marsa Maroc, through MMIL, appear vast, supported by a profound transformation initiated three years ago and a development policy focused on diversifying activities and partners. This dynamic reflects a clear ambition: to establish itself as a reference player in the continental and regional market and a reliable partner capable of supporting the transformations in the port and logistics sector in the region. More than just an infrastructure manager, Marsa Maroc is now asserting its commitment to building a sustainable and structured international presence.