Tangier Hosts TOC Africa Conference to Reinforce Its Leadership in Global Maritime Trade
Tangier once again establishes itself as a strategic hub for global maritime trade. From September 17 to 18, the second edition of the Africa Ports Operations Conference (TOC Africa) will take place, bringing together over 400 participants from 66 countries, including 41 African nations. Stakeholders from the ports, logistics, maritime transport, and industry sectors will convene to discuss the significant challenges facing an industry that is at the heart of global exchanges.
This conference is organized by the Tangier Mediterranean Port in partnership with TOC Worldwide, returning to Morocco after the success of its inaugural edition in 2023. This reaffirms the pivotal role of the Tangier Mediterranean Port, the first container port in Africa and the Mediterranean, as a focal point for discussions on the future of maritime transport and logistics.
Trade, Customs, and Tensions
The conference is held under the theme: “Trade, Customs Rights, and Tensions… How Do We Continue to Move Forward?” in a global context marked by economic uncertainty, regulatory constraints, and technological shifts.
According to Mehdi Taouzi Al-Rifi, Director General of the Tangier Mediterranean Special Agency, this meeting comes at a timely moment: “The industry is facing multiple challenges: prospects for global trade, the repositioning of shipping companies and ports, energy transition, decarbonization, and digitization. These topics reflect the dynamism of the sector, the scale of the challenges, as well as the opportunities.”
He added that the Tangier Mediterranean Port, developed under the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, has become an essential player in the Mediterranean and African basin, serving global supply chains and regional development.
A Port at the Heart of African Exchanges
For his part, Idriss Al-Arabi, Director General of the Tangier Mediterranean Port Authority, noted that the conference has a dimension that transcends the local framework: “TOC conferences are held annually in Rotterdam, Singapore, and Panama. Tangier’s inclusion in this exclusive circle reflects our port’s central position in global trade.”
He pointed out that the port, located at the Strait of Gibraltar and transited by more than 100,000 vessels annually, is a strategic player for Africa, with over 40% of exchanges occurring with countries on the continent.
Land Corridors and Regional Integration
The conference also opens discussions for African organizations. Jean-Marie Koffi, Secretary General of the West and Central Africa Port Management Association (AGPAOC), emphasized the importance of land corridors for landlocked countries: “The primary challenge is to facilitate transit to the interior regions. This requires improving infrastructure, as well as reviewing procedures to avoid delays.”
