Three shipping companies, namely CMA CGM, Maersk and MSC will, next week, present their solutions to connect the port of Dakhla to Nouadhibou (Mauritania) and Dakar (Senegal). However, the launch of this line is facing several challenges...Details.

Is it possible to circumvent the regular blockages suffered by fresh agricultural products at the border area of Guerguarate? This is the challenge launched by Morocco Foodex to improve the conditions for transporting fruit and vegetables to sub-Saharan countries.

In particular, this involves solving the problem of delays in truck crossings through this land border and de facto avoiding the potential losses suffered by perishable products throughout the journey.

In this sense, a technical meeting was held last Tuesday in the presence of three shipping companies, namely the French group CMA CGM and the Danish Maersk in addition to the Italian-Swiss MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) for the implementation place of a maritime solution to circumvent this terrestrial constraint.

"Another meeting has been scheduled for next week to study the commercial and pricing offers relating to this commercial line", explains Khalid Bounejma, president of the Association of Citrus Conditioners in Morocco (ASCAM), who took part in the this meeting in the presence of fruit and vegetable exporters and international road transport operators (TIR).

Two scenarios considered

For the moment, two scenarios are envisaged for the establishment of this commercial shipping line. This involves linking the port of Dakhla to the port enclosure of Nouadhibou (Mauritania) or Dakar (Senegal).

Still, the launch of this line faces several challenges, in this case the permanent commitment of professionals to an export volume per line in order to make it profitable and sustainable.

In addition, the business model for the trade in fruits and vegetables transiting between Morocco and sub-Saharan countries is essentially based on road transport from the Souss Region to Mauritania, Senegal, Mali and Côte d'Ivoire. .

This is why the development of these exchanges with existing players requires a shipping line offering a ro-ro service (roll-on/roll-off in English) and not transporting goods by container. In other words, the line requires a ro-ro ship that can carry trucks loaded with fresh produce on board.

Could Dakhla accommodate a ro-ro line?

According to professional circles, the use of a ro-ro ship requires the study of the current configuration of the exit port of Dakhla. Could this enclosure accommodate this type of line? At this island port, two activities are currently carried out, in particular trade via the outer quay which is managed by Marsa Maroc where there is no ro-ro ramp. On the other hand, this solution is feasible in the fishing basin.

In this area, there is a rear ramp which requires a solution from the port authority of Dakhla with fishing professionals or the mobilization of a vessel with a side ramp to facilitate the transport of vehicles on board. In addition, other constraints are to be studied.

It is the transport of drivers on board this ro-ro line and their number which can completely change the vocation of the said line from a ro-ro ship to a ferry line. Indeed, international regulations only impose the transport of 12 people on board a ro-ro line.

Companies prepare their maritime solutions

In the meantime, the three companies are working on their solutions in order to present them at the next meeting. Moreover, although Moroccan agricultural exports are intended for Europe, North America and Russia, however in terms of dynamism, it is West Africa which is placed as the 2nd promising market. after Asia.

Currently, Morocco is still unable to seize this opportunity due to the lack of direct shipping lines, which generates additional logistical costs.

Regarding the volumes currently generated, exports sent to sub-Saharan countries total an average of nearly 70,000 tonnes of early vegetables and citrus fruits. This figure represents only the formal quantities while the informal exceeds according to ASCAM nearly 200,000 tons.