Morocco is betting on the South Korean experience to build the largest shipbuilding facility in Africa
In its quest to enhance its industrial position on the African continent, Morocco’s National Ports Agency has launched a tender to develop, equip, and operate the largest shipbuilding facility in Africa, under a contract lasting three decades.
In line with this strategy, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, conducted an official visit to South Korea, where he discussed with senior officials from the shipbuilding and automotive sectors.
During this visit, the duration of which remains undisclosed, Mezzour visited Ulsan, home to the world’s largest shipbuilding yard, operated by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), a global leader in shipbuilding and marine technology.
The Moroccan minister held several meetings with prominent figures, including Sang Kyun Lee, CEO of the company, and Young-Youl Park, Executive Vice President, where they discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation in ship and automobile manufacturing, in addition to ways to transfer expertise and advanced technology.
Mezzour noted that these meetings represent “a strategic opportunity to open new horizons for industrial cooperation between Morocco and South Korea,” emphasizing that future partnerships could encompass advanced manufacturing sectors that reinforce Morocco’s positioning as a leading industrial hub in Africa.
It is worth mentioning that Morocco is investing approximately $300 million in building the new yard in Casablanca, aimed at attracting part of the global demand currently directed towards shipyards congested in Southern Europe, while also meeting the needs of African ships heading towards the European continent.
Last October, former Minister of Transport, Mohamed Abdeljalil, announced the kingdom’s intention to launch a national strategy for the production of large commercial vessels, underscoring Morocco’s commitment to expanding its horizons in this vital sector beyond traditional fishing vessels.
