Rabat – The maritime link between Algiers and Nouakchott becomes operational starting on Thursday, February 10, according to Algeria’s Minister of Transport Aissa Bekkai.
This marks the second attempt to link the two ports with a shipping line, with a statement to Algeria Press Service (APS) from the Ministry adding that the Algerian Group for Maritime Transport (GATMA) will be overseeing the operations.
The link, which has existed since last April, was not operational, as the company managing it, Anisfer Lines, was unable to organize a second trip between the two ports.
The Algerian ship Imedghassen is the only to make the trip using the line.While the ambition at first was to organize a trip every 20 days and then every five days, a second departure was never possible.
The ship had become stuck at the port of Sète, following a protective seizure due to a dispute between Anisfer Lines and Global Maritime Algeria, the ship’s owner.
The decision is part of Algerian efforts to expand its reach into western and Sub-Saharan Africa, as Algeria aims to promote its exports within the continent.
Algeria’s government hopes to strengthen land and air routes with African destinations in addition to this maritime link.
The initiative appears to attempt to compete with growing Moroccan efforts in this regard, as the kingdom has been undergoing projects in its southern provinces to transform them into a trade hub for cooperation with and access to African markets.
