On November 3, 2026, in Rabat, representatives of the Moroccan National Ports Authority ANP and the French Development Agency AFD signed a joint financing statement, officially landing a 100 million euro long-term preferential loan specifically for the green upgrading project of Moroccan ports nationwide. At the ceremony, Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Water Resources and Forestry, the French Ambassador to Morocco, and the AFD Moroccan leader witnessed together. This financing stems from the cooperation intention reached during the French President's visit to Morocco in 2024, with the goal of reducing carbon emissions from port operations, enhancing the sewage treatment capacity of the port area, and improving the supporting infrastructure for green shipping.

Billion Euro Financing Landing

This is the third special port financing under the framework of the strategic partnership between the two sides, with funding coming from the bilateral cooperation framework between France and Morocco. The loan will cover multiple core seaports in Morocco, with a focus on the two flagship ports of Nador West Mediterranean Port and Tangier Mediterranean Port, while also taking into account the upgrading and renovation of local fishing ports in the region. The core goal of financing is to consolidate Morocco's position as a shipping hub on both the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, and promote the transformation of port operations towards low carbonization.

Upgrade the two flagship ports first

Funding will focus on two flagship ports, Nador West Mediterranean Port and Tangier Mediterranean Port, which will be the first to initiate green transformation. The specific project is divided into four directions: constructing a dock shore power system, allowing docked ships to turn off their own generator sets and switch to shore power supply, significantly reducing exhaust emissions in the port area; Upgrade the sewage treatment and reclaimed water reuse facilities in the port area, and treat the production and domestic sewage at the dock; Large scale deployment of distributed photovoltaics in port areas to provide clean energy for dock yards, office buildings, and lighting systems; Update dock loading and unloading equipment, promote the electrification of on-site vehicles, and improve energy storage facilities. Keywords: Infrastructure News Network, International, Green Port

Four directional green transformation

Multilateral institution loan projects have a complete implementation cycle, and once funds are in place, engineering design, supervision, equipment procurement, and construction bidding will be initiated in batches. The complete set of port shore power equipment, sewage treatment equipment, photovoltaic energy storage system, port electrical equipment, and electric loading and unloading auxiliary equipment will gradually enter the procurement cycle. For Chinese enterprises, the bidding process for AFD loan projects is standardized and strict, with high requirements for product technical parameters, international certifications such as CE, and ESG environmental protection materials. Enterprises need to sort out the full set of product certificates and technical documents in advance. Signing financing contracts does not mean immediate batch bidding. Multilateral loan projects have a period for scheme demonstration and environmental impact assessment approval, and there is a time difference for physical purchase orders. All Moroccan public port projects are connected to the government procurement online bidding platform, and overseas suppliers must apply for enterprise qualifications and electronic U-disks in advance, otherwise they cannot submit electronic bids. Local engineering equipment companies in France have geographical advantages, and Chinese enterprises need to create competitive advantages in terms of price, delivery cycle, and after-sales operation and maintenance solutions.Editor/Gao Xue