Memorandum of advanced collaboration for the implementation of trade and passengers facilitation measures in the Strait of Gibraltar
HM King Mohammed VI and HM King Felipe VI presided on February 13th, 2019 in Rabat a signing ceremony for a memorandum of advanced collaboration between the Port Authority of Tanger Med and the Port Authority of Algeciras Bay as part of the visit made by the King of Spain to the Kingdom of Morocco. The two port authorities are located on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar which represents a central hub of maritime and logistics flows of goods and people between Morocco and Europe, and a major hub for global logistics flows. In 2018, the flows crossing through the Tanger Med port amounted to 2 802 108 passengers and 326 773 Trucks. The significant evolution of trade flows, expected to reach 600 000 trucks by 2025, is driven by both industrial and agricultural export dynamics. As a result, the two port authorities are implementing an adequate framework for facilitation of exchanges between Morocco and Europe.
The areas of collaboration are the following:
- Facilitation of commercial exchanges between the two ports by setting up the regulatory framework between the two port authorities and administrations concerned to ensure faster handling of goods and passenger flows,
- Exchange of data between the two ports through the dematerialization and digitization of all commercial and maritime information relating to the transit of passengers and goods including document processing and traceability,
- Putting in place the "Maritime Bridge on the Strait" through the implementation of a competitive port/maritime/logistics offer, adapted to the needs of the passengers and goods, taking into account the future evolutions of traffic and its seasonality.
This memorandum of collaboration marks a milestone for the development of Morocco - Europe logistics corridors for exporters, importers and passengers of both shores.
