A consortium led by the UK's Global Ports, a major independent cruise port operator, has been appointed by the National Ports Agency (ANP) as the preferred bidder to operate the new cruise terminal at the Port of Casablanca. The two parties will work on a 15-year concession agreement.

The National Ports Agency (ANP) has virtually chosen the future operator of the new cruise terminal at the Port of Casablanca. Following a call for tenders, the agency has selected a consortium led by British operator Global Ports Holding (GPH) as the preferred bidder to operate this site dedicated to cruise ships.

The announcement was made in a press release issued on Friday April 5 by GPH, which holds a 51% stake in the group, alongside local shareholder Steya (40%) and Spanish firm Ocean Infrastructures Management (9%). The London-based operator reveals that "the consortium will work with ANP on the terms of a 15-year concession agreement".

This new cruise ship embarkation and disembarkation terminal, which required an investment of 715 million dirhams, aims to fill the infrastructure gap in the Kingdom for this category of ships, and thus attract more cruise passengers to Casablanca and other cities in the country. The terminal has an annual capacity of 450,000 passengers, and can accommodate ships of up to 350 meters in length.

150,000 passengers by 2024, and 180,000 by 2025

"This investment, led by ANP, included the construction of a new cruise quay, a cruise terminal and a marine station meeting international standards, which considerably increased the port's capacity," points out Global Ports Holding, adding that the port of Casablanca will be able to handle 150,000 transit passengers this year, rising to 180,000 by 2025.

"Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, offers cruisers a wonderful blend of traditional Moroccan culture and contemporary experiences (...) It is also the gateway for cruises to Rabat and the enchanting red city of Marrakech," describes Global Ports Holding.

The operator also presents the Kingdom's metropolis as "a key stopover for cruises to the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean, as well as for crossings between Europe and the Caribbean".

Global Ports Holding is considered the world's largest independent cruise port operator. On April 3, the company signed a 50-year concession contract with Mersey Docks & Harbour, a subsidiary of the British Peel Ports group, to operate services at Liverpool's cruise port.

Elimane Sembène