Marsa Maroc wins contract to operate Liberia’s Port of Monrovia

CASABLANCA - Morocco's leading port operator, Marsa Maroc, announced on Tuesday that it has secured a significant management contract to operate key facilities at Liberia's Port of Monrovia, the country's primary deep-water seaport and economic lifeline. 

The agreement marks Marsa Maroc's entry into the Liberian market and underscores Morocco's growing influence in West African maritime infrastructure.

Details of the deal

Following a competitive international tender, Marsa Maroc—through its subsidiary Marsa Maroc International Logistics (MMIL)—was selected by Liberia's National Port Authority (NPA) to manage and operate two strategic jetties (piers or berths) at the Freeport of Monrovia. 

The contract includes rehabilitation and upgrading of the docks, deployment of modern port equipment, and application of specialized expertise, particularly in bulk handling operations.

Operations under the new management are scheduled to begin gradually in the first half of 2026. This initial phase focuses on immediate improvements to efficiency and capacity at the selected piers.

The partnership is positioned as the first step in a broader strategic collaboration. In a potential second phase, Marsa Maroc aims to negotiate a longer-term concession agreement for the development and operation of a new multipurpose terminal at Monrovia. This facility would handle the majority of Liberia's import and export trade flows, significantly boosting the port's role as the nation's main maritime gateway.

Strategic importance for both sides

For Liberia, the deal aligns with efforts to modernize its port infrastructure, enhance trade competitiveness, and support economic recovery and growth. The Port of Monrovia serves as the hub for most of the country's cargo movements, including commodities, containers, and bulk goods essential to its economy.

Marsa Maroc, Morocco's national champion in port operations, manages 34 terminals across 20 ports and handles over 60 million metric tons of cargo annually. The company has built a reputation for operational excellence, drawing from successes at major hubs like Tanger Med. This Liberia contract fits into its ambitious African expansion strategy, following earlier memoranda and partnerships in the region.

The announcement has been welcomed as a win-win, reflecting shared ambitions to revitalize Liberia's maritime sector through Moroccan know-how and investment.

This development builds on prior engagements between the two nations. In late 2024, Marsa Maroc and the NPA signed an initial Memorandum of Understanding to explore modernization projects, including multipurpose terminals at Monrovia and Buchanan. Subsequent agreements, including engineering support from related Moroccan entities like Tanger Med, have paved the way for concrete operational involvement.

Marsa Maroc's move into Liberia highlights the rising role of South-South cooperation in infrastructure development. The partnership promises enhanced efficiency at Monrovia, better connectivity for Liberian trade, and a model for future collaborations across the continent.