Agadir – Morocco strives to expand regional cooperation on maritime mapping and hydrography, with a focus on improving navigation safety, technical expertise, and the exchange of marine data among Eastern Atlantic countries.
Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of the National Defence Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, outlined the country’s priorities today in Casablanca during a regional seminar on the International Hydrographic Organization’s (IHO) S-100 standard.
Loudyi said Morocco intends to work with members of the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission (EAHC) to strengthen regional capabilities through training, capacity building, and the sharing of expertise.
Morocco chaired the EAHC over the past two years and plans to maintain its engagement with member countries as they prepare to adopt the new international framework.
Loudyi also stressed the importance of support from the IHO to help regional hydrographic services implement the S-100 standard gradually, according to their individual needs and technical capacities.
New standard to improve maritime safety
The S-100 framework introduces a new approach to managing and sharing hydrographic information, allowing maritime authorities to integrate different types of marine data into interoperable digital systems.
Loudyi said the transition could improve navigational safety, facilitate compatibility between maritime systems, and optimize maritime operations.
Royal Navy Inspector Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin described the transition as a major development for the hydrographic sector, noting that it requires more than adopting new technical specifications.
He said the framework represents a shift toward a maritime information system that integrates marine geospatial data and makes it more useful for decision-making.
Tahin added that successful implementation will depend on preparing qualified personnel, adapting institutional structures, and developing the necessary technical infrastructure.
He also called for closer coordination among hydrographic services, training institutions, technical partners, and other stakeholders.
Ghanaian Minister of Transport Joseph Bukari Nikpe also highlighted the significance of the S-100 framework, describing it as a generational shift in hydrographic services.
Nikpe said the standard enables maritime stakeholders to move beyond static data toward more dynamic information that supports real-time decision-making.
He added that these capabilities could support safer and cleaner maritime operations while helping the sector adapt to emerging navigation technologies, including autonomous systems.
