Press release from the Competition Council regarding the economic concentration project concerning the creation of a joint venture by the ‘Port Operating Company SA’ and the company ‘Boluda Towage France SAS’

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 ‘summary of the operation’ below, containing the information provided by the parties.

This information has been prepared by the notifying parties, who are solely responsible. 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: “Port Operating Company SA” (‘Marsa Maroc’);

Founding Company No. 2: “Boluda Towage France SAS”.

Nature of the operation

• Creation of a joint venture.

Economic sectors concerned

• The market for ship towing services and port assistance.

Deadline for interested third parties to submit their comments

• 10 days from the date of publication of this press release, i.e., July 14, 2025.

NON-CONFIDENTIAL SUMMARY OF THE OPERATION

The Competition Council has received notification of an economic concentration operation concerning the creation, by the companies ‘Port Operating Company SA’ – Marsa Maroc – and ‘Boluda Towage France SAS’, of a joint venture, whose main activity will be ship towing and port assistance, exclusively within the Nador West Med port.

‘Port Operating Company SA’ – Marsa Maroc – is a Moroccan public limited 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 port of Cotonou.

‘Boluda Towage France’ is a French simplified joint-stock company, registered with the Marseille Trade and Companies Register under number 843 386 459, with its head office at 3 Quai de la Joliette, Marseille, France. It specializes in port, coastal, and offshore towing activities, as well as maritime salvage. ‘Boluda Towage France’ is a subsidiary of ‘Boluda Corporación Marítima’, one of the world leaders in maritime services, operating a fleet of over 600 vessels in 148 ports across 50 countries.

 

Done in Rabat, July 3, 2025