• Marsa Maroc signs management contract with Liberia’s port authority

• Deal covers rehabilitation and bulk handling at two Monrovia jetties

• Concession for new multipurpose terminal planned in second phase

Marsa Maroc and the National Port Authority of Liberia have signed a management contract for the operation of two jetties at the Port of Monrovia. The agreement formalizes a memorandum of understanding signed in November 2024 and aims to improve operational performance at the port and strengthen Liberia’s logistics competitiveness.

Under the terms of the contract, Marsa Maroc will carry out rehabilitation works, supply port equipment, and provide bulk handling expertise to operate the two jetties through its subsidiary, Marsa Maroc International Logistics (MMIL). The infrastructure is scheduled to become operational in phases during the first half of 2026.

Reforms across multiple areas

The agreement marks the first phase of a broader partnership between the two parties. A second phase provides for a concession contract for the development and operation of a new multipurpose terminal at the same port. In recent years, Liberia has taken steps to strengthen the operational capacity of its ports, including regulatory and institutional reforms. These include the creation of a maritime ports regulatory authority and the decentralization of port management.

Beyond infrastructure gaps that limit capacity, the reforms also seek to address governance challenges. A 2024 note from the U.S. Department of Commerce said the Port of Monrovia faces high handling costs and corruption. Administrative delays have led some importers to redirect shipments to neighboring ports, including Conakry in Guinea.

Henoc Dossa