Moroccan harbors account for 98% of trade exchange

Moroccan harbors account for the transit of 98% of Morocco's external trade exchanges, said Thursday the equipment department secretary general, Mehdi Benzekri.

Opening a conference on "port dredging works" at the Rabat Hassania Public Works School, he listed silting up problems for the ports of Agadir and Safi saying, however, that his department is busy improving port activity to cope with new domestic and international economic and technical requirements.

Experts, he said, from France, Canada, Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain are bringing know-how and experience to Moroccan undertakings to normalize operation of ports in Larache, Kenitra, Safi and Agadir.

Dredging is a key factor in port management and environment protection. Sand extracted can be used in construction works avoiding beach-depletion. More than 3,5 million cubic meters of sand and 100,000 cubic meters of mud are dredged every year.

The national portuary network numbers 27 harbors and 33,4 km of quays.