In a notable development for Morocco's energy sector, the country has witnessed a significant increase in maritime oil product imports, averaging 271,000 barrels per day during the first nine months of 2026, representing a robust growth of 9% compared to the same period in 2025. The United States has emerged as the preeminent supplier of petroleum products to the Kingdom, with shipments skyrocketing by over 140%, solidifying its position ahead of competitors such as Russia and Spain.
According to maritime traffic monitoring data from Kpler, Vortexa, and the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), released on October 18 by the specialized portal Attaqa, U.S. deliveries averaged 61,000 barrels daily, a massive leap from the 25,000 recorded in the first nine months of 2025. This increase positions the United States at the forefront of Morocco’s oil supply.
Following the U.S. is Russia, which ranks second with an average of 50,000 barrels per day, reflecting a 28% increase from the previous year’s 39,000 barrels. Conversely, shipments from Spain have seen a decline of 21%, dropping from 44,000 to 35,000 barrels per day. Other suppliers have also expanded their market share within Morocco, with imports from Turkey rising from 10,000 to 22,000 barrels daily (a 120% increase), while the Netherlands saw a fivefold increase, soaring from 4,000 to 20,000 barrels daily, marking a staggering 400% growth. Collectively, these five countries account for nearly 70% of Morocco's maritime oil product imports.
Quarterly and Monthly Trends in Oil Imports
The imported oil volumes have experienced fluctuations throughout the year. In the first quarter, the average daily imports reached 284,000 barrels, showing a 17% year-over-year increase, with March marking the annual peak at 349,000 barrels per day. However, there was a decline in the second quarter, with figures dropping to 252,000 barrels daily. The third quarter saw a recovery, with imports averaging 278,000 barrels per day, reflecting a 7% increase compared to the same quarter in 2025.
August recorded a resurgence in imports, reaching 309,000 barrels daily, a 20% increase compared to August 2025, marking the second highest monthly figure for the year. Nevertheless, September saw a drop, with volumes returning to 253,000 barrels per day. This rise in imports is attributed to a heightened demand for fuel oil and diesel to support national electricity generation, necessitated by a shift in operations to compensate for decreased natural gas supplies from Spain, which have been impacted by the ongoing Iranian crisis.
It is important to note that these metrics exclusively refer to the flows of oil products transported by maritime means and do not encompass the total energy imports of the Kingdom.
As reported by es.le360.ma.
