Compagnie Marocaine de Navigation

Compagnie Marocaine de Navigation, commonly known as Comanav, is a Moroccan maritime transport company whose activities have included freight shipping, passenger ferries, container transport, roll-on/roll-off services and port operations. The company traces its origins to the Compagnie Franco-Chérifienne de Navigation, established in 1946. Following Moroccan independence, the business adopted the Comanav name in 1959 and developed into one of the country’s principal maritime operators. Comanav expanded beyond conventional cargo shipping during the 1970s. In 1975, responding to the needs of Moroccans living in Europe who travelled to Morocco during the summer season, it introduced a passenger ferry service linking Tangier with Sète in France. The same year, the company acquired five container ships and continued operating bulk carriers, establishing a broader mix of maritime activities. Its later fleet and service portfolio included container vessels, bulk transport, passenger ships and roll-on/roll-off capacity for trucks and other vehicles. The company increased its vehicle-freight capability in 1993 through the addition of a roll-on/roll-off vessel. In 1998, it became the first Moroccan shipowner to operate across the Strait of Gibraltar, reinforcing its role in passenger and Mediterranean transport. Its network subsequently connected Moroccan ports, including Casablanca, Tangier and Nador, with destinations in France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands. Cargo services included Atlantic routes to ports such as Le Havre, Rouen, Dunkirk, Antwerp and Rotterdam, as well as western Mediterranean connections to Valencia, Barcelona and La Spezia. Ro-ro services included routes from Casablanca to Marseille, Cádiz, La Spezia and Genoa. The Moroccan state privatised Comanav in 2007. CMA CGM became the leading member of the consortium involved in the transaction and subsequently took control of the company. CMA CGM’s principal interest was in Comanav’s port and logistics activities. The passenger business was separated from the group’s principal operations: it was transferred through Balearia and ultimately sold to the Moroccan operator Comarit in 2009. Comarit later entered bankruptcy, while Comanav continued as a CMA CGM subsidiary focused on maritime freight and port-related activities. Reference material describes Comanav as a leader in Morocco’s maritime transport market for freight, passengers and port operations. At the time represented in those statistics, its fleet comprised 14 vessels, including 10 owned ships, with stated capacity of approximately 3,300 TEU, 7,400 passengers and 2,200 vehicles. Reported annual volumes included about 60,000 TEU, 45,000 ro-ro units, 200,000 tonnes of miscellaneous goods and 800,000 passengers. These figures describe a historical operating profile rather than necessarily the company’s current fleet or throughput.

Comanav originated as the Compagnie Franco-Chérifienne de Navigation, founded in 1946. Following Morocco’s independence in 1956, the company changed its name to Compagnie Marocaine de Navigation, commonly shortened to Comanav, in 1959. The company broadened its role in Moroccan maritime transport during the 1970s. In 1975, it launched a passenger ferry connection between Tangier and Sète to serve Moroccans travelling between Europe and Morocco during the summer period. That year it also acquired five container ships, complementing its bulk-carrier operations and giving the company a more diversified cargo profile. In 1993, Comanav added a roll-on/roll-off vessel, increasing its ability to transport lorries and other wheeled cargo. Five years later, it became the first Moroccan shipowner to serve the Strait of Gibraltar. This development strengthened its passenger and Mediterranean transport position and supported links between Moroccan ports and southern European destinations. The Moroccan state privatized Comanav in 2007. CMA CGM represented the consortium that took control of the company in the transaction. The French shipping group was particularly interested in Comanav’s port and logistics activities. The passenger business was subsequently separated from the core CMA CGM-controlled operations. Balearia was involved in the transfer and sold the activity to Moroccan operator Comarit in February 2009. Comarit later went bankrupt. Comanav’s historical activities have covered bulk transport, container shipping, passenger transport, roll-on/roll-off freight and port operations. Its reported route network connected Casablanca with French Atlantic ports including Le Havre, Rouen and Dunkirk, Belgian Antwerp, Dutch Rotterdam, and western Mediterranean ports such as Valencia, Barcelona and La Spezia. Ro-ro links included Casablanca–Marseille, Casablanca–Cádiz, Casablanca–La Spezia and Casablanca–Genoa. Passenger services historically connected Tangier with Algeciras, Sète and Genoa, and Nador with Almería and Sète. Historical operating statistics describe a fleet of 14 vessels, 10 of them owned, with capacity for approximately 3,300 TEU, 7,400 passengers and 2,200 vehicles. The same material reports annual transport volumes of roughly 60,000 TEU, 45,000 ro-ro units, 200,000 tonnes of assorted goods and 800,000 passengers. These figures should be treated as period-specific and not as a verified current operating profile.

1. 2009Passenger activity transferred to Comarit

   The passenger transport subdivision was sold to Moroccan operator Comarit after an intervening transfer involving Balearia.

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2. 2007Privatization and CMA CGM takeover

   The Moroccan state privatized Comanav and transferred control through a consortium represented by CMA CGM.

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3. 1998First Moroccan shipowner to serve the Strait of Gibraltar

   Comanav began serving the Strait of Gibraltar, strengthening its position in Moroccan passenger and Mediterranean maritime transport.

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4. 1993Expansion of roll-on/roll-off capacity

   The company acquired a roll-on/roll-off vessel to increase its capacity for transporting lorries and other wheeled freight.

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5. 1975Launch of Tangier–Sète ferry service

   Comanav introduced a passenger ferry service between Tangier and Sète and acquired five container ships as part of its expansion.

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6. 1959Adoption of the Comanav name

   After Moroccan independence, the company changed its name to Compagnie Marocaine de Navigation, commonly known as Comanav.

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7. 1946Founding as Compagnie Franco-Chérifienne de Navigation

   The company was established in Morocco under the name Compagnie Franco-Chérifienne de Navigation.

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A Moroccan maritime transport and port-services operator linking Morocco with European Atlantic and Mediterranean markets, with a historical role in both passenger mobility and commercial freight.

• Container transportFreight shipping1975

  Comanav developed container shipping alongside its earlier bulk-carrier activities, beginning with the acquisition of five container ships in 1975. Its historical network connected Casablanca with Atlantic and western Mediterranean ports in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Italy. Reported historical capacity was approximately 3,300 TEU.

• Bulk transportFreight shipping

  Bulk transport was one of Comanav’s established maritime activities, complementing its container and ro-ro services. The company handled non-containerized cargo and reported historical annual movement of approximately 200,000 tonnes of assorted goods. The available reference material does not specify the current vessel mix or commodity breakdown.

• Roll-on/roll-off transportVehicle freight1993

  Comanav expanded its ability to carry lorries and other wheeled cargo through the acquisition of a roll-on/roll-off vessel in 1993. Historical ro-ro routes linked Casablanca with Marseille, Cádiz, La Spezia and Genoa. Reference material reports annual movement of approximately 45,000 ro-ro units and capacity for about 2,200 vehicles.

• Passenger ferry servicesPassenger maritime transport1975

  Comanav entered passenger ferry transport in 1975 with a Tangier–Sète service aimed in part at Moroccan residents of Europe travelling home during the summer. Its historical passenger network also included Tangier links to Algeciras and Genoa and Nador links to Almería and Sète. The passenger subdivision was sold in 2009.

• Port operationsPort and logistics services

  Port activities became an important part of Comanav’s business and were a principal area of interest for CMA CGM during the 2007 privatization. The historical reference associates the company with port operations involving facilities and activities at Moroccan gateways including Casablanca and Tanger Med, although it does not provide a current asset-by-asset description.

• 2009Divestment of the passenger transport subdivisionStrategy

  Following the CMA CGM takeover, the passenger business was not retained as part of the group’s main port and freight focus.

  What changed. The passenger activity moved through Balearia and was sold to Moroccan operator Comarit in February 2009.

  Aftermath. Comanav’s passenger subdivision left the CMA CGM-controlled business. Comarit later went bankrupt.

  Reported sale value of passenger activity. 80 million euros (February 2009)

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• 2007Privatization and acquisition by a CMA CGM-led consortiumM&A

  The Moroccan state decided to privatize Comanav. CMA CGM was interested particularly in the company’s port and logistics activities.

  What changed. A consortium represented by CMA CGM took control of Comanav in the privatization transaction.

  Aftermath. Comanav became a wholly owned CMA CGM subsidiary. The passenger business was separated from the principal CMA CGM-controlled activities and subsequently transferred through Balearia and sold to Comarit in 2009.

  Privatization transaction value. 2.2 billion Moroccan dirhams, described in the reference as approximately 200 million euros (2007)

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• 2009Comanav passenger business transferred and sold to Comarit

  After CMA CGM’s acquisition, the passenger transport activity was separated from the company’s main business. Balearia transferred the activity to Moroccan operator Comarit in February 2009.

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• 2007Moroccan state privatizes Comanav

  The Moroccan state privatized Comanav through a transaction involving a consortium represented by CMA CGM, transferring control of the shipping company to private ownership.

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1. Compagnie Marocaine de Navigation