Traffic in Moroccan ports rises by 5.8 % in 1998

Ship traffic in Moroccan ports posted a record of 48.2 million tons in 1998, which represents a 5.8% jump over 1997, the Moroccan state-owned ports management board (ODEP) said.

The increase concerned all Moroccan ports.

Some 3.9 million tons of cereals passed through Moroccan ports in 1998.

The port of Casablanca, Morocco's major economic and financial center, topped all ports with 41 percent of global goods. It is followed by the ports of Mohammedia, Jorf Lasfar (120 km south of Casablanca), Safi (250 km south of Casablanca), Laayoune and Tangiers.

ODEP posted a net financial balance sheet of $4.7 million in 1998 against a loss of almost $10 million a year before. The company's turnover also increased by 3.2% to stand at $175 million.