The maritime industry is at a critical crossroads, facing the dual challenge of meeting growing demand for shipping services while reducing emissions, World Bank experts highlight in a recent publication.
According to the World Bank, hydrogen derivatives such as green ammonia and methanol are emerging as promising alternative fuels to help address this challenge. Meeting the fuel needs of maritime transport—and other sectors—will require significant volumes of green hydrogen, creating an opportunity for countries to capture value in this rapidly expanding industry.
Morocco is particularly well-positioned, with its strategic geographic location, abundant renewable energy resources, and cost-competitive hydrogen production potential. Already a key player in maritime transport, Morocco’s ports are well-suited to serve as hubs for the production, storage, bunkering,and export of green hydrogen.
Furthermore, port infrastructure is a central element of the Moroccan government’s strategic framework for developing the green hydrogen sector.
The World Bank Group projects that, under a medium demand scenario, ships calling at Morocco’s ports could require around 0.2 million tons of hydrogen-equivalent fuel by 2030, rising to approximately 2.83 million tons by 2050.
This hydrogen would be converted into green bunker fuels in the form of ammonia or methanol, supporting the maritime industry’s transition to low-carbon energy.
Tanger Med
- One of the largest container ports in the world, located at the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Handles approximately 1.5 million tons of fossil-based bunker fuel annually.
- Well positioned to serve as a green bunkering hub, capturing demand from vessels transiting one of the busiest maritime corridors.
Jorf Lasfar
- Serves the steel industry and the OCP Group, one of the world’s largest phosphate fertilizer producers.
- Handles around 2 million tons of ammonia each year.
- Ideal for integrating green hydrogen derivatives into existing industrial processes.
- Using green ammonia for fertilizer production could support decarbonization of Morocco’s fertilizer sector.
Mohammedia Port
- Located near Casablanca.
- Close to salt caverns suitable for large-scale hydrogen storage, currently used for liquefied petroleum products.
- Offers an economical solution for hydrogen storage, potentially reducing Morocco’s Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) by 0.16 EUR/kg compared to underground pipe storage.
Tan-Tan
- Less developed in terms of port infrastructure.
- Offers superior solar and wind conditions, ideal for cost-competitive hydrogen production.
- Potential port development could leverage renewable energy advantages to produce hydrogen derivatives for export and distribution to other ports.
A comprehensive scenario analysis suggests that utilizing the individual strengths of all four ports can reduce costs.
According to the World Bank analysts, the most cost-effective configuration foresees hydrogen and derivatives produced and exported from Tan-Tan, stored in salt caverns in Mohammedia, distributed to heavy industry in Jorf Lasfar, and bunkered at Tanger Med.
