Moroccan ports are expected to play a central role in the emergence of a national sector for fuels derived from green hydrogen, according to a recent report by the World Bank. The international institution views these infrastructures as strategic platforms capable of connecting renewable energy production areas to international markets, especially in Europe, and of supporting the maritime and industrial energy transition.
Entitled Gateway to Green Energy: Moroccan Ports as Hubs for Hydrogen Fuel Development and Trade, the report is based on technical, economic, and logistical analyses of four major sites: Tanger Med, Mohammedia, Jorf Lasfar, and the projected port area of Tan-Tan. It highlights that Morocco ranks among the countries with the highest potential to become a leading supplier of maritime fuels derived from green hydrogen, thanks to its abundant renewable resources, developed port infrastructures, and strategic geographical positioning along key global maritime routes.
Ports at the Heart of the Maritime Energy Transition
The World Bank reminds us that the decarbonization of global maritime transport relies on the availability of significant volumes of alternative fuels, produced on a large scale and distributed via ports capable of ensuring storage, transformation, and bunkering. In this context, Moroccan ports are described as essential logistical nodes connecting low-cost renewable electricity production basins to consumer markets, particularly in Europe.
Global demand for decarbonized maritime fuels is expected to grow rapidly due to regulations from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that mandate a gradual reduction in maritime transport emissions. Green ammonia and methanol, produced from renewable hydrogen, are identified as technically suitable solutions for large-scale maritime applications.
Differentiated Advantages by Port Site
The report details the specific characteristics of each port studied. Tanger Med, Africa’s largest container port, is positioned as the main candidate for the bunkering of green maritime fuels. It already handles the majority of bunkering operations in Morocco, with over 1.5 million tons of fossil fuels annually, giving it an initial advantage in the transition toward decarbonized fuels.
Mohammedia port stands out for its potential storage capacities, notably due to the proximity of salt caverns deemed particularly suitable for storing large quantities of hydrogen at competitive costs. Jorf Lasfar is identified as a strategic industrial hub, particularly in relation to the future needs of the OCP Group for green ammonia to decarbonize the fertilizer sector.
The Tan-Tan area appears as a favored production site. According to the World Bank’s estimates, the costs of green hydrogen production in this region would be 25 to 38% lower than those observed in other studied areas, thanks to the availability of vast areas conducive to deploying solar and wind farms. Tan-Tan could thus become a production center supplying other Moroccan ports.
A Coordinated Approach to Reduce Costs
Economically, the World Bank advocates for a coordinated organization of roles among the various ports to take advantage of their complementarities. The favored scenario relies on concentrating production in lower-cost areas, particularly Tan-Tan, combined with storage, transformation, and distribution functions distributed among Mohammedia, Jorf Lasfar, and Tanger Med.
This architecture assumes the establishment of dedicated transport infrastructures, such as hydrogen pipelines along the Atlantic coastline. Such an approach, according to the report, would represent a first step toward a national hydrogen transport network.
The World Bank emphasizes, however, that hydrogen-derived fuels remain more expensive than fossil fuels today. It stresses the need for support mechanisms, such as long-term contracts, concessionary finance instruments, or carbon pricing schemes, to secure investments and reduce competitiveness gaps.
Regulatory Framework and Governance Challenges
The report commends the efforts of Moroccan authorities to establish a dedicated institutional framework for green hydrogen, particularly through the “Moroccan Offer,” which clarifies access to land, renewable electricity, and port infrastructures. This clarity is seen as a key factor for credibility with international investors.
The World Bank also highlights the regulatory and safety challenges. The storage and handling of hydrogen and its derivatives require strict, harmonized standards and adaptations of port regulations, along with adequate training for personnel. Anticipating international standards is presented as a crucial element for the future competitiveness of Moroccan ports.