HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Eyes Major Expansion in Africa
South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is looking to secure long-term operating rights for Morocco’s prominent Casablanca shipyard. This strategic move aims to alleviate production bottlenecks at its domestic facilities and expand its presence in Africa.
South Korea’s largest shipbuilder is currently operating at full capacity with a nearly three-year backlog of 451 vessels. To address this, it’s exploring Morocco’s Atlantic coast as a significant new production hub, according to reports from Lloyd’s List journal and Moroccan media.
Casablanca Shipyard: Africa’s Future Hub
The Casablanca facility, poised to become Africa’s largest shipyard at 210,000 square meters, is being offered for 30-year operational rights by Morocco’s National Ports Agency. The site will boast a crane, wharves, and an onshore dock.
Morocco aims to significantly grow its merchant fleet from 16 to 100 ships by 2040 to support trade expansion. The National Port Agency highlights Casablanca’s strategic Atlantic location and strong demand, particularly in the ship repair sector.
Initially, the facility’s goal was to handle 22 dry-docked vessels per year and between 400 to 470 vessels annually at its dockside using cranes. It will also feature lifting platforms capable of handling six medium-sized boats weighing up to approximately 5,000 tons.
The project is estimated to require an investment of up to $92 million, with the government agency reportedly budgeting $76 million for its development.
This shipyard project is part of Morocco’s broader massive construction and development drive as it prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup games in 2030. Officials have stated that development projects, including ports, airports, and roads across nearly 35 cities, could see investments exceeding $34 billion over the next five years.
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