The multidimensional crisis between Algeria and Morocco does not seem to want to take a path towards resolution. The two countries, whose diplomatic relations have been broken for around thirty months, are still in crisis. Trade between Algeria and Morocco is, in fact, frozen on all levels.
It is in this crisis situation that Algeria has taken a new decision relating to international trade. Indeed, Algeria no longer wants goods transiting through Moroccan ports. This decision was communicated by the port services group Support which instructed port companies on this subject
“In accordance with the instructions emanating from the Serport group, you are asked to take the necessary measures to inform shipowners that goods intended for Algeria from foreign ports are admitted to the national territory, “except for those having been the subject of transshipment/transit through Moroccan ports”, we can read in the note from the Oran Port Company, addressed, Wednesday, January 17, to the consignee agents.
Algeria decides on a new sanction against Morocco
This new instruction comes after that of the note from the Association of Banks and Financial Institutions (ABEF) addressed, Wednesday, January 10, to banks and also to economic operators. This note relating to domiciliation operations for transport contracts that provide for transshipment/transit through Moroccan ports stipulates that “in the context of foreign trade operations, it was decided to refuse any domiciliation operation, for transport contracts which provide for transshipment/transit through Moroccan ports.” The ABEF underlines in its document that; “before any domiciliation, it is necessary to invite your relevant services, in order to ensure with economic operators, that transshipment/transit does not take place through Moroccan ports”.
Algeria has therefore decided to new sanctions against Morocco. Recall that since August 2021, Algeria has severed diplomatic relations with Morocco due to “hostile acts”. Algeria also closed its airspace to Moroccan planes and did not renew its contract with Morocco regarding the Gasoduc Maghreb Europe (GME), the pipeline that transported Algerian gas to Spain via Morocco.
