Doha – Morocco has officially taken over responsibility for producing and distributing marine charts of its territorial waters from France, marking the end of a 16-year transition process that began in 2008.
The agreement was signed on Thursday at the National Defense Administration headquarters in Rabat by French Ambassador to Morocco Christophe Lecourtier and Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of National Defense Administration.
The transition transfers cartographic responsibility from France’s National Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOM) to the Royal Moroccan Navy’s Division of Hydrography, Oceanography and Cartography (DHOC).
The partnership, which saw the light in 2008, included comprehensive training of Moroccan hydrographers and cartographers at SHOM’s school in Brest, France.
The collaboration also involved technical and educational support during the construction of Morocco’s hydrographic and oceanographic vessel “Dar El Beida” by France’s Piriou shipyard in Concarneau. The vessel entered service with the Royal Moroccan Navy in 2018.
Between 2009 and 2024, the partnership resulted in the co-publication of 18 electronic navigation charts and 17 paper marine charts. The first co-produced chart covered the area from Sidi Al Hachmi to Mohammedia, with the final one focusing on the Port of Tangier City.
Under the new agreement, DHOC will independently produce and distribute marine charts for waters under Moroccan jurisdiction. A handover period will facilitate the transfer of existing Moroccan charts from SHOM to DHOC.
Despite the transfer of responsibilities, both hydrographic and oceanographic services are expected to maintain collaboration on matters of mutual interest, building on their established relationship.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Laurent Kerleguer, Director General of SHOM.
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