Morocco’s port system continues to attract major international partners. After including Morocco in its future cooperation projects, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has now specified the timeline in its provisional consultant market program, published on June 24, 2026. According to this official document, a mission will be deployed from September 2, 2026, to February 26, 2027, following the tender publication scheduled for July 1, 2026, to assess development prospects for Tanger Med, the port of Casablanca, and the broader national port system.

The document highlights that Tanger Med and Casablanca are “Morocco’s main ports, located at the heart of international logistics networks and handling approximately 98% of the country’s foreign trade.” This position gives Moroccan port infrastructure strategic importance in supply chains connecting Europe, Africa, and major international markets.

JICA’s interest goes far beyond technical expertise. The terms of reference reflect a desire to support a port system called upon underpin the next phases of Morocco’s economic development.

The document notes that Morocco’s port strategy aims to upgrade infrastructure, digitize operations, achieve decarbonation, and strengthen Moroccós role as a platform linking Europe and Africa. The mission will assess progress already made and identify adjustments to support the evolution of international trade.

This approach confirms that port competitiveness no longer rests solely on physical terminal capacity. It now also depends on the ability to integrate new environmental, digital, and technological requirements that are progressively reshaping global maritime shipping.

Preparing for tomorrow’s trade needs

A significant portion of the work will focus on future trade flow changes. Experts will establish cargo traffic forecasts, analyze expansion projects, review site plans, and assess port management organization.

The mandate also includes an analysis of relevant institutions, the responsibilities of each stakeholder, and the land and sea connections linking Moroccan ports to key European and African markets. The goal is to verify alignment between current infrastructure and the future needs of the national economy.

This work should result in a development strategy accompanied by an execution plan to enhance coherence among investments, governance, and trade evolution.

Environmental transition is central to this mission. Consultants will inventory existing policies in Moroccan ports, evaluate measures to reduce carbon emissions, and assess steps to improve energy efficiency of infrastructure.

In parallel, JICA requests an in-depth analysis of port operations digitization. The document specifies examining port management digitalization, synchronization of ship arrivals under “Just in Time” principles, cybersecurity systems, and measures contributing to carbon neutrality.

This combination of digitalization and operational optimization aims to streamline port calls, reduce vessel waiting times, and improve overall efficiency of port platforms.

Strengthened technological cooperation with Japan

Finally, the mission carries an important forward-looking dimension. Beyond diagnosis, JICA must identify areas where cooperation with Japan would add value.

The mandate envisions a list of projects that could leverage Japanese equipment, digital solutions, and technologies to improve Moroccan port operations and accelerate their decarbonation. A pilot phase will then test certain solutions before presenting them to Moroccan authorities in a dedicated workshop.

The document further notes the study will involve specialists in port planning, digital transformation, decarbonation, and cybersecurity. Representing 6.61 person-months, this mission is, at this stage, a preparatory project whose content may evolve before the final tender publication.

Beyond its technical nature, this initiative illustrates the strong interest Morocco’s port system generates among leading international partners.

By choosing to simultaneously evaluate infrastructure, governance, digital technologies, environmental requirements, and traffic prospects, JICA places the kingdom’s ports in a long-term reflection on their ability to support global trade transformations and consolidate Morocco’s position as a logistics platform between Europe and Africa.