Press release from the Competition Council regarding the economic concentration project concerning the creation of a joint venture by the “Société d’Exploitation des Ports SA” and the company “Terminal Investment Limited Sàrl”

In accordance with Article 13 of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition and Article 10 of Decree No. 2-14-652 adopted for its implementation, as amended and supplemented, the Competition Council makes available to the public the “operation summary” below, containing the information provided by the parties.

This information has been prepared by the notifying parties, who are solely responsible. Any inaccurate or distorted information contained therein does not in any way prejudge the Competition Council’s position on the proposed operation.

The publication of this press release does not attest to the completeness of the file provided for in Article 9 of Decree No. 2-14-652 adopted for the implementation of Law No. 104-12 on freedom of prices and competition, as amended and supplemented.

Names of companies and individuals involved:

• Founding Company No. 1: “Société d’Exploitation des Ports SA” (“Marsa Maroc”);

Founding Company No. 2: “Terminal Investment Limited Sàrl”.

Nature of the operation

• Creation of a joint venture.

Economic sectors concerned

• The markets for container terminal services and regular maritime transport by containers.

Deadline for interested third parties to submit their comments

• 10 days from the date of publication of this press release, i.e. April 16, 2025.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL SUMMARY OF THE OPERATION

The Competition Council has received notification of an economic concentration operation concerning the creation, by the companies “Société d’Exploitation des Ports SA” and “Terminal Investment Limited Sàrl”, of a joint venture, which will hold the concession for the development, equipment, operation, and maintenance of the new East Container Terminal at the Nador West Med port.

“Société d’Exploitation des Ports SA” is a Moroccan joint-stock company, registered with the Casablanca Trade Register under number 156717. It is active in multi-trade port operations in Morocco, with a presence in numerous commercial ports in Morocco, as well as a presence in Benin at the Cotonou port.

“Terminal Investment Limited Sàrl” is a limited liability company established in Switzerland and a wholly-owned subsidiary of “Terminal Investment Limited Holding SA” (“TIL Holding”), the holding company of the TIL group, which invests, develops, and manages a highly diversified portfolio of container terminal companies worldwide. TIL Holding is indirectly and jointly controlled by BlackRock, Inc. and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company Holding SA, which is primarily active worldwide in the container maritime transport sector, port handling. .

 

Done in Rabat on April 3, 2025