Casablanca: In his opening address at the Seminar on African Cooperation in the Fields of Hydrography, Oceanography, and Marine Cartography, Loudyi emphasized Morocco’s significant investments in maritime capabilities. The country has bolstered its capacities and equipment by commissioning modern oceanographic vessels, including the multi-mission hydrographic and oceanographic vessel “Dar Al Beida”, as well as the ships “Al Hassan Al Marrakechi” and “Ibn Sina II”. These advancements are complemented by a network of wave-measurement stations, high-frequency marine radars, and traffic monitoring systems, enhancing Morocco’s technical and scientific capabilities to address growing maritime safety needs.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Loudyi highlighted Morocco’s ambition to enhance cooperative ties with African hydrographic services and international organizations. The seminar aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, emphasizing African cooperation as a strategic priority focused on sol
idarity, security, and shared prosperity.
Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin, Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy, noted the seminar’s continuity with discussions from the 18th Conference of the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission, held in May 2024. The conference underscored the need for closer coordination among Atlantic-facing African nations to manage shared maritime areas effectively. Tahin emphasized that united cooperation is essential for creating a network of knowledge that enhances marine resource management and resilience to environmental and security challenges.
Tahin further detailed the Royal Navy’s experience since the establishment of the National Coordination Committee for Hydrography, Oceanography, and Cartography, formed under the High Instructions of His Majesty the King. This committee coordinates and harmonizes the efforts of various actors involved in these fields. He affirmed the Royal Navy’s readiness to share its extensive expertise with African partners in scientific, technical, and
human capacity building areas.
The seminar, held from October 8 to 10 in Casablanca, is organized by the National Defense Administration and the Royal Navy, following the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. It brings together representatives from African member countries of the Conference of the Eastern Atlantic Hydrographic Commission, the Director of the International Hydrographic Organization, the Director of the Norwegian Regional Electronic Chart Distribution Center, and representatives from the French Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service.
The opening session was attended by key figures, including Minister of Transport and Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Azzedine El Midaoui, Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries Zakia Driouich, Director General of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines Amina Benkhadra, and Director General of the National Ports Agency M
ustapha Farès.