Rabat – Morocco on Friday, December 11, received 115 out of 160 votes to again be part of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) council. Morocco’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics welcomed the news as a sign of the country’s “important role” regarding maritime safety and security.
Morocco’s reelection again confirmed its efforts towards international trade and shipping, yet the kingdom remains outside of categories that classify it as having the “largest interest” in international shipping and seaborne trade.
Morocco’s reelection places it among Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and Vanuatu.
They are labeled as “category C” countries that “have special interests in maritime transport or navigation and whose election to the Council will ensure the representation of all major geographic areas of the world.”
While Morocco’s place on the council is a sign of the kingdom’s contribution to global maritime trade, the country’s emergence as a trade hub between Europe, the US, and Africa could indicate Morocco deserves to be considered as a category B or A country in the near-future.
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Category “A” countries are the 10 states “with the largest interest in providing international shipping services.” This category currently consists of trade and shipping giants such as China, the UK, and the US; but it also includes less obvious choices like Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, South Korea, and Russia.
If Morocco does not rise to the “A” category in the near future, category “B” could also be considered. This category indicates “10 States with the largest interest in international seaborne trade,” which includes traditional trading countries such as the Netherlands and Germany, but also such as Sweden, the UAE, Australia, and Brazil.
As Morocco’s status in international manufacturing and trade expands, in particular with the planned emergence of Dakhla as a major new transit hub for international trade, the country could soon see its status rise at the IMO.
While Morocco’s election to the third category is a cause for celebration, the country could soon take a seat among the world’s top twenty maritime trade countries. The IMO will again see an election in 2023, and Morocco could see its status rise even further within the global maritime institution if the country’s current ambitions come to fruition.
