Agadir – Morocco has the potential to become a global leader in green hydrogen for maritime transport, according to a new World Bank report.
The report explained that the global maritime sector is under pressure to reduce emissions while sustaining rising demand for shipping services. This moment represents a structural shift for global energy systems, and a major industrial opportunity for Morocco.
The World Bank states that “the maritime industry is at a critical juncture: it faces a dual challenge of meeting increasing demand for shipping services while also managing emissions responsibly.” The study identifies hydrogen-based fuels, particularly green ammonia and methanol, as key alternatives expected to reshape global shipping.
Morocco’s strategic leverage
Morocco is positioning itself as a potential global leader in green hydrogen, leveraging its “advantageous geographic position, abundant renewable energy resources, and cost-effective hydrogen production potential” to meet rising demand in maritime transport and other sectors.
The World Bank notes that Morocco “is already a key player in maritime transport, and its ports are primed to serve as pivotal hubs for the production, storage, bunkering, and export of green hydrogen.”
This emerging industry could generate jobs, increase income, and enhance local infrastructure, as “surplus renewable power generated for hydrogen production can also serve local communities.”
Port infrastructure is central to this strategy. The report highlights four key ports. Tanger Med, Mohammedia, Jorf Lasfar, and a port near Tan-Tan, all of which are “crucial to the success of Morocco’s green hydrogen ambitions.”
Projections indicate that by 2030, ships calling at these ports could require “around 0.2 million tons of hydrogen-equivalent in fuel, increasing to around 2.83 million tons by 2050,” converted into green bunker fuels such as ammonia or methanol.
Each port brings a strategic advantage. Tanger Med, handling “around 1.5 million tons of fossil-based bunker fuel every year,” is well placed to become a green bunkering hub for one of the busiest maritime corridors.
Jorf Lasfar, serving heavy industry and the OCP Group, already handles “around two million tons of ammonia each year,” making it ideal for integrating green hydrogen derivatives into industrial processes.
Mohammedia offers economical hydrogen storage in salt caverns, potentially lowering Morocco’s Levelized Cost of Hydrogen by 0.16 EUR/kg, while Tan-Tan’s superior solar and wind conditions make it perfect for cost-competitive hydrogen production.
