Jica turns Morocco into a living lab for next-generation ports

Morocco’s port system continues to draw the attention of major global partners. After including the kingdom in its future cooperation projects, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has now specified the timeline in its provisional consultancy programme published on 24 June 2026. The official document states that a mission will be deployed from 2 September 2026 to 26 February 2027, following the tender launch set for 1 July 2026, to evaluate development prospects for Tangier Med, Casablanca port and the broader national port network.

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

JICA’s interest goes well beyond technical expertise. The terms of reference reflect a desire to support a port system that must sustain the kingdom’s next stages of economic growth.

The document recalls that Morocco’s port strategy aims to upgrade infrastructure, digitise operations, decarbonise activities and strengthen the country’s role as a platform connecting Europe and Africa. The mission will measure progress already made and identify adaptations needed to keep pace with evolving international trade.

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

Preparing for tomorrow’s trade needs

A substantial part of the work will focus on future changes in trade flows. Experts will develop freight traffic forecasts, analyse expansion projects, review development plans and assess port management organisation.

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

This reflection should produce a development strategy accompanied by an execution plan to strengthen coherence between investments, governance and the evolution of trade.

Environmental transition occupies a central role in this mission. Consultants will catalogue policies already implemented in Moroccan ports, evaluate measures to reduce carbon emissions and assess steps to improve energy efficiency of infrastructure.

In parallel, JICA requests a thorough analysis of port operation digitalisation. The document specifically calls for examining digitalisation of port management, synchronisation of vessel arrivals under “Just in Time” principles, cybersecurity measures and initiatives contributing to carbon neutrality.

This combination of digitalisation and operational optimisation aims to streamline calls, reduce ship waiting times and improve overall efficiency of port platforms.

Strengthened technological cooperation with Japan

The mission also has an important forward-looking dimension. Beyond diagnosis, JICA will identify areas where cooperation with Japan could add value.

The mandate includes drawing up a list of projects that could mobilise Japanese equipment, digital solutions and technologies to improve Moroccan port operations and accelerate decarbonisation. A pilot phase will then allow testing of certain solutions before presenting them to Moroccan authorities during a dedicated workshop.

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

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

By choosing to simultaneously assess infrastructure, governance, digital technologies, environmental requirements and traffic prospects, JICA places the kingdom’s ports within a long-term reflection on their capacity to support changes in world trade and consolidate Morocco’s position as a logistics hub between Europe and Africa.