Morocco’s National Ports Agency (ANP) has joined the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), according to a 31 March announcement.
The move will assist the ANP in exploring information exchange at regional and international levels.
Of note, The ANP subsidiary PortNet, the National Single Window/Port Community System, is already a member of IPCSA.
Tarik Maaouni, organisation and information systems director at ANP, said: “We are already familiar with IPCSA’s activities, experience and expertise, as PortNet is already active in a number of IPCSA workshops and initiatives.
“As part of IPCSA, ANP looks forward to sharing experiences with other countries and partners that share the same challenges in the port sector. We will benefit from learning the best practice of other IPCSA members, while also proposing our own ideas in order to deliver the full benefits of cooperation.”
PortNet is relatively young but also very advanced, and ANP is always looking to streamline processes through further innovations and improvements, he added.
“We now need to develop and improve information exchange processes at regional and international level; there are challenges, because of technical obstacles and the need to define common frameworks.
“IPCSA is very well positioned, including at EU and IMO levels, to help us to innovate in this field. We believe that creating better connected platforms for exchanging information is key to improving Moroccan business’s exports and imports.”
As a leader in the field of port innovation and processes, ANP is looking forward to sharing its own experience with IPCSA members, added Maaouni.
In recent years, Morocco’s ports sector has been the subject of important institutional and organisational reforms, in order to adapt to the demands of globalisation while also emphasising social responsibility and sustainable and equitable development.
As the authoritative and regulatory body of the Moroccan port system, ANP brings the entire port community together around common goals. It works to create a competitive port environment based on healthy competition, efficiency, transparency and good governance, while ensuring safe and quality services.
ANP has seven strategic priorities: preserving port heritage; contributing to the implementation of the national logistic strategy; simplifying and facilitating port transit procedures; continued implementation of port reform subject to Law 15-02; regulating activities and port operators; improving competitiveness in the port sector; and police, security and environmental protection in port zones.
ANP is a public institution which oversees all of Morocco’s ports, with the exception of Tanger Med. Its portfolio adds up to more than 30 ports, including Casablanca and Jorf Lasfar.
