The maritime domain is becoming more important and more complex across the world. Sea lanes, ports, and the infrastructure beneath the sea now carry ever greater economic value. Recent disruptions to global shipping and to undersea cables have shown how much modern economies depend on the smooth functioning of the maritime domain. These developments give renewed importance to Morocco’s maritime position. Morocco is the only African state facing both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It also holds the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the busiest maritime passages in the world. For as long as the state has existed, the sea has shaped Morocco’s trade, its revenue, and its engagement with the wider world. The sea has long been central to how Morocco builds its economy and engages with the world. That role is expanding.
As Morocco’s ports, energy links, and maritime trade grow, the maritime domain is taking on greater weight in the country’s economic and security thinking. This brief examines the maritime dimension of Moroccan statecraft. It traces the historical foundations of Morocco’s engagement with the sea, looks at the growing importance of maritime issues today, and considers the technologies likely to shape the maritime domain in the years ahead.
As Morocco’s ports, energy links, and maritime trade grow, the maritime domain is taking on greater weight in the country’s economic and security thinking. This brief examines the maritime dimension of Moroccan statecraft. It traces the historical foundations of Morocco’s engagement with the sea, looks at the growing importance of maritime issues today, and considers the technologies likely to shape the maritime domain in the years ahead.