New report highlights diverse models of maritime competitiveness across Africa, with Liberia leading by fleet size and Morocco leveraging world-class port infrastructure.
July 4, 2026: Morocco has been ranked the 10th-largest merchant fleet owner in Africa in 2026, according to a new report by The African Exponent, underscoring the country's growing maritime influence despite maintaining a relatively modest commercial fleet.
The report estimates that Morocco operates 94 merchant vessels, placing it 72nd globally by fleet size.
While Morocco's fleet is smaller than those of several African peers, the report argues that the country's maritime strength is driven by its extensive logistics network and strategic role in global trade.
Morocco recorded approximately $120.9 billion in merchandise trade and $42.3 billion in transport services trade, reflecting the country's deep integration into international shipping and supply chains.
Its port infrastructure also stands out. Moroccan ports handled approximately 9.96 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2024, the highest container throughput among the countries included in the ranking.
A key contributor is Tangier Med Port, which is connected to more than 180 ports across over 70 countries and supports an industrial ecosystem of more than 1,400 companies, reinforcing Morocco's position as a regional logistics and manufacturing hub.
Liberia topped the continental ranking with a merchant fleet exceeding 4,000 vessels, benefiting from one of the world's largest open ship registries.
According to the report, more than 5,000 ships currently sail under the Liberian flag, representing a combined carrying capacity of over 408 million gross tons, making Liberia one of the world's leading maritime registries.
Nigeria ranked second in Africa with 928 merchant vessels, placing 21st globally, supported by its strategic coastline and well-established domestic shipping industry.
Other countries featured prominently in the continental rankings include Cameroon, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone.
The report concludes that strong merchant fleets remain a critical pillar of Africa's trade, logistics, and industrial supply chains.
It notes that African nations are strengthening their maritime competitiveness through a variety of strategies, including expanding ship registries, increasing trade volumes, investing in modern port infrastructure, boosting industrial exports, and developing regional logistics networks.
According to The African Exponent, maritime competitiveness is increasingly determined not only by the number of vessels under a country's control but also by cargo-handling capacity, domestic shipping capabilities, transport services, and sustained investment in ports connected to global supply chains.
The findings underscore a broader shift in Africa's maritime sector, where logistics efficiency and infrastructure quality are becoming as important as fleet size in shaping regional and global influence.
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