The state-owned facility, built at $300 million, is designed to become Africa’s largest shipyard and aims to replicate Morocco’s automotive manufacturing success within the maritime sector.
The ANP is inviting experienced global companies or consortiums to develop, equip, and manage the 52-acre shipyard. According to ANP Communications Director Abdellatif Lhouaoui, the new facility is expected to target demand from saturated shipyards in southern Europe while also catering to African vessels heading to the European market.
The tender document, published on April 7, outlines four major installations at the Casablanca facility, including a dry dock that measures 244 meters in length by 40 meters in width and a vertical ship lift with a capacity of up to 9,000 tonnes.
These state-of-the-art features position the shipyard to compete not only with local operations in Casablanca and Agadir—which have primarily serviced fishing vessels—but also with other established shipyards across Africa, such as those in South Africa focused on recreational vessels.
The development of this shipyard is part of a broader strategy to tap into the ship repair and construction market across continents. By capturing demand from Europe’s saturated shipyard sector and supporting African shipping companies with a modern facility, Morocco aims to boost its maritime industry and expand its role in the global marine services market.
This move signals Morocco’s commitment to advancing its maritime infrastructure and attracting international business, potentially setting a new benchmark for shipyard operations across the continent.
