Maritime flows between Morocco and Spain offer promising prospects, supported by the reorganisation of supply chains. This market is whetting the appetite of transport and logistics operators.
While short sea shipping lines (SSSL) in the Mediterranean are subject to very strong competition and generate financial losses for some companies, the situation of traffic between Spain and Morocco offers a different panorama with a predominance of ferries. Competition is certainly growing, but traffic offers promising medium-term prospects, linked to the dynamism of the Moroccan economy and the reorganisation of supply chains. In this unique context, transport and logistics operators are readjusting their strategies.
The expansion of the Spain-Morocco trade and industrial relations
Trade between Spain and Morocco has seen strong and steady growth over the past ten years. Compared to other North African countries, Morocco occupies a prominent place in Spanish foreign trade.
- The total amount of trade (exports + imports) increased from €15.4 billion in 2019 to €22.7 billion in 2024, representing an average annual growth of 6.7% over these 6 years, according to Spanish customs statistics. During the first seven months of 2025, exports fell by 4.2% to €7.3 billion, but imports continued to grow (up 8.5% to €6.3 billion). The trade balance is traditionally favourable to Spain, even if the gap narrowed over the first 7 months of 2025.
- Spain is Morocco's largest trading partner. It absorbed 22.1% of Moroccan exports in 2024, compared to 19.1% for France, 5.2% for Italy and 5.1% for Germany. In the other direction, it supplied 15.6% of Moroccan imports, against 9.4% for France, 5.2% for Germany and 4.5% for Italy, according to the annual report of the “Office des Changes”. The European Union cumulated in total of 63% of Moroccan exports and 48% of imports.
The expected increase in traffic is leading ports and operators to invest in the construction of new infrastructure. The dynamism of traffic and growth prospects are generating increased interest from shipping companies. Over the past two years, we have witnessed a series of operations that have changed the landscape of players.
CONTENTS
- The expansion of the Spain-Morocco trade and industrial relations
- The key role of Spanish ports
- Investments on both sides of the Mediterranean
- Shipping company strategies
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