1. Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Dr. Kaoutar MERBOUH, a Professor of Higher Education at the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences of Tangier – Abdelmalek Essaâdi University since 2013, and a certified Master Mariner (Captain Long Course).
I hold a PhD in Private Law and Criminal Sciences, specializing in Maritime Law, from the University of Nantes. To date, I have accumulated 65 months of sea service and 13 years of higher education teaching experience.
I am a member of the Moroccan College of Maritime Experts (Sworn Marine Surveyor), Secretary General of WIMA Morocco, an accredited FIATA trainer, and a board member of the Moroccan Association of Maritime and Port Law.
2. Could you tell us about your career path and what led you to become a Lecturer-Researcher?
After obtaining my Chief Mate (Long Course) diploma in June 2001, I began my sea career aboard tugboats of the Société Chérifienne de Remorquage et d’Assistance (at the Port of Casablanca) in September 2001, and later aboard passenger vessels of the Moroccan shipping company COMANAV in March 2002. It was a very rewarding and enriching experience. However, I realized that I could not continue at sea until retirement, simply because it was not possible to maintain a normal family life alongside navigation.
I therefore decided to change course, without cutting ties with the maritime sector. I pursued maritime law studies alongside my navigation career and obtained a postgraduate degree (DESS) in Maritime and Transport Law from Aix-Marseille III University in 2003/2004.
Following the sale of COMANAV, I had to stop sailing in September 2009 in order to complete my PhD in Maritime Law at the University of Nantes, which I successfully defended on October 18, 2011.
In 2012, I worked at the Maghreb Maritime Defense Company (DEFMAR), P&I Clubs correspondent in Morocco, as a recovery case manager and in charge of monitoring developments in Moroccan maritime case law.
In December 2012, I taught the module on cargo insurance in the Master’s program in Management and Law of International Goods Transport at the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences of Casablanca – Ain Chock.
Following this first successful teaching experience, I quickly realized that teaching was truly my passion.
After applying for several competitive examinations, I passed two recruitment exams for the position of Associate Professor at the Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences of Tangier and at that of Fez. I chose to join the Faculty of Tangier – Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in February 2013.
3. As a Lecturer-Researcher, what do you appreciate most about this profession?
What I appreciate most about this profession is, first and foremost, the sharing of knowledge in both its theoretical and practical dimensions. Secondly, I value the opportunity to transfer my professional experience as a seafarer and as a recovery case manager at DEFMAR (P&I Clubs correspondent in Morocco) through concrete examples that make theoretical concepts easier to understand. Finally, I appreciate the feedback dynamic, which enables students to better grasp the stakes and risks associated with certain contracts, such as contracts of carriage and insurance contracts.
4. You are the author of several books, including “L’Utile en Incoterms” and “Exercices – Droit des Transports Internationaux de Marchandises.” What motivated you to write these works?
The writing of these books is driven by my passion for sharing knowledge and experience. While I share them with my students, books allow this knowledge to extend beyond the walls of the faculty. They are intended not only for students but also for all professionals involved in international trade, particularly those operating within the blue economy.
5. Among your many academic and professional achievements, which one makes you the most proud?
I am currently the author of one doctoral thesis, four books, two collective works, two international conference proceedings, and several academic articles. Three works make me the proudest: on the one hand, my doctoral thesis entitled “La responsabilité du transporteur maritime de passagers en droit marocain et en droit français” which is the result of six years of research; and …
Read the full interview on pages 41 to 44 of Blue Women Africa Magazine : https://www.bluewomenafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Blue-Women-Africa-Magazine-English.pdf
