China Expands Fishing Fleet in Moroccan Waters with Three New Vessels

These new vessels will expand the Chinese fleet in Morocco. The ships Peony 1, 2 and 3 were launched following a ceremony attended by government representatives, senior officials from the Shandong offices of Guo Tuo (State Development & Investment Corp.) and the state investment company, reports SeaFoodSource.

During the launch ceremony, the CEO of the company, Qi Fu Cheng, stated that expansion in West Africa is a priority for the company and the provincial government that controls it. In 2018, Mr. Cheng had traveled to Morocco and West African countries, including Ghana, as part of a prospecting trip. Shandong Fisheries Co. is one of the many fishing companies represented in a delegation led by the Chinese Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Zhang Taolin, to Rabat in January to discuss cooperation in the agriculture and fisheries sectors with Moroccan officials.

According to the CEO of this company, the government’s commitment to "develop the maritime economy" and "maintain our province’s position at the forefront of the distant water fishing industry" has encouraged the company in its development efforts. With great potential, these three new trawler vessels can contribute to the implementation of the company’s expansion strategy.

China is showing more and more interest in Moroccan waters. In 2019, China Aquatic Products Zhoushan Marine Fisheries Corp, known as "ZhouYu", had sent 8 new vessels to Morocco to fish for octopus and other species.