IFW
Stuart Todd | lun., 19 mars 2012
North African state plans to establish 70 logistics hubs in 18 cities by 2020
Morocco is looking to set up around 70 logistics hubs in 18 of its cities by 2020, as part of a long-term plan to transform the North African state’s supply chain provision.
A national agency for logistics is to be set up to pilot the plan, which forms part of a programme signed between the government and the Confederation of Moroccan Industry aimed at making the country more competitive in logistics.
In addition to creating a network of hubs on a national scale, the programme also focuses on the expansion and optimisation of traffic flows, logistics service provider community training provision and the governance and regulation of the sector.
“The plan is very ambitious and only time will tell if it will be achieved” Cédric Guez, development manager at French logistics property developer GSE’s Moroccan subsidiary, told IFW.
“But Morocco has sent out a very clear message that it is seeking to structure its logistics, and aspires to attaining European standards in the sector.”
He said Morocco’s network of motorways and modern port facilities (Tanger Med being the shining example) were key supply chain assets.
“Morocco also enjoys a healthy annual economic growth rate and domestic consumption is buoyant, which is driving demand for logistics services.”
One of the first hubs to be developed will be near the port of Mohammedia, about 15 miles from Casablanca, where GSE has supplied a 36,000sq metre warehouse to one of Morocco’s leading logistics firms, SNTL. It is the first phase of a project to build hub facilities totalling 100,000sq metres.
Last year, AP Møller-Maersk subsidiary Damco set up a joint-venture logistics company with SNTL in Morocco.
The partnership will be boosted by SNTL’s plans to invest around $175 million in additional hubs in Moroccan cities over the next five years.
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