Morocco and Atlas Marine Establish New Maritime Route Linking Agadir and Dakar

Morocco has officially partnered with Atlas Marine to launch a commercial maritime route connecting Agadir to Dakar, marking a significant step in strengthening regional ties and fostering economic integration. The protocol agreement was signed by Karim Achengli, President of the Souss Massa Regional Council, and Gregory Darling, President of Atlas Marine, with the presence of Said Amzazi, governor of the region.

The initiative aims to streamline goods transport, address logistical challenges, and enhance commercial exchanges between Morocco and West Africa. This effort aligns with Morocco’s strategic vision of deepening continental ties by fostering collaboration with African nations. Atlas Marine will oversee the project’s implementation, which seeks to reduce transportation costs, improve the efficiency of goods and truck transport, and unlock new investment opportunities between the two regions.

Karim Achengli highlighted the importance of the maritime route as a cornerstone of the royal vision prioritizing African cooperation. “The direct link between Agadir and Dakar will open new perspectives for importers and exporters and boost intra-African trade,” Achengli stated.

Driss Boutti, President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) in the Souss Massa region, echoed this sentiment. He emphasized that the Agadir-Dakar maritime route is part of ongoing efforts to enhance inter-African collaboration. Boutti also announced plans to establish additional maritime routes connecting Agadir with other African destinations in the near future.

This project reflects Morocco’s unwavering commitment to fostering regional cooperation and economic integration within the African continent. As part of this vision, Morocco recently unveiled the Atlantic Initiative, which aims to provide Sahelian countries with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean.

“The Atlantic coast is our gateway to Africa and the Americas. Hence my keen desire to rehabilitate our national coastline, including the part in the Moroccan Sahara region bordering the Atlantic, and re-engineer this geopolitical space at the African level,” King Mohammed VI stated during his Green March speech in November 2023.

The King’s vision seeks to transform the region into a hub for human interaction and economic integration, cementing Morocco’s status as a dynamic player in the global economy. This maritime initiative underscores Morocco’s dedication to addressing Africa’s challenges while leveraging its strategic position to drive growth and cooperation across the continent.