Groupe SERPORT

Groupe SERPORT, an abbreviation of Groupe Services Portuaires, is an Algerian government-owned port management group. It acts as a holding and coordination structure for the country's principal commercial port enterprises and related fishing-port operations. Its portfolio includes port companies serving Algiers, Béjaïa, Annaba, Oran, Skikda, Arzew, Ghazaouet, Ténès, Djen Djen, Mostaganem and Cherchell, as well as the Société de Gestion des Ports de Pêche. Through these entities, SERPORT is involved in the organization of maritime trade, cargo handling, port logistics and the operation of port infrastructure along Algeria's coastline. The group operates within Algeria's public-sector transport and logistics system rather than as a conventional consumer-facing brand. Its strategic importance derives from the role of seaports in imports, exports, vehicle handling, industrial supply chains and passenger transport. Management priorities have included improving port productivity, reducing vessel waiting times, coordinating the logistics chain and supporting the modernization of maritime infrastructure. SERPORT has also participated in industrial and institutional initiatives beyond day-to-day port administration. In February 2021, it joined Algeria Corporate Universities Group, Constantine Engine Company and the General Directorate of Scientific Research and Technological Development in an agreement concerning the development and manufacture of a marine engine in Algeria. The project was presented as an effort to increase domestic industrial integration and reduce dependence on imported equipment. In 2020, SERPORT acquired a controlling interest in the football club USM Alger from ETRHB Haddad. The group described the investment as a long-term sporting and institutional project, including plans for a training center and an ambition to compete for continental titles. SERPORT subsequently remained involved in the club's governance and development. In 2024, it also entered a partnership protocol with the Algerian Football Federation to support football and national teams for the 2024–2026 period. The group has experienced several changes in senior management. Achour Djelloul was removed as chief executive in May 2022 after a judicial investigation into the allegedly unlawful release and transfer of imported Hyundai vehicle containers from the Port of Mostaganem. Abdelkarim Harkati, also reported as Mohamed-Karim Eddine Harkati, subsequently became chief executive. Harkati was dismissed in April 2025 amid criticism of management performance, including the underuse of Annaba's new maritime station. Later leadership changes reported in the supplied reference material indicate the appointment of Abdelkrim Rezzal and a subsequent change involving Ryad Hadjal and Ali Boulaâras; the precise current leadership position requires verification against an authoritative, up-to-date source.

Groupe SERPORT is an Algerian public port-services holding and management group. Its role is to organize and oversee a network of port enterprises that handle a substantial share of Algeria's maritime commerce and related coastal activities. The group is associated with the commercial port enterprises of Algiers, Béjaïa, Annaba, Oran, Skikda, Arzew, Ghazaouet, Ténès, Djen Djen, Mostaganem and Cherchell, together with the company managing fishing ports. SERPORT's responsibilities extend beyond the operation of individual quays and terminals. The group provides a national coordination framework for port performance, cargo movement, maritime logistics and infrastructure development. Its activities are closely connected with Algeria's import and export system, including the handling of industrial goods, vehicles and containers. Passenger maritime infrastructure has also become part of the group's management challenge, particularly following the opening of the new maritime station at Annaba in 2023. A notable industrial initiative began in February 2021, when SERPORT signed an agreement with Algeria Corporate Universities Group, Constantine Engine Company and the General Directorate of Scientific Research and Technological Development. The partners planned to work toward manufacturing a marine engine in Algeria through an industrial reproduction strategy. The stated objectives were to develop domestic technical capabilities, raise the local integration rate and reduce the country's import bill for maritime equipment. SERPORT attracted national attention in 2020 through its acquisition of 94.34 percent of the shares previously held by ETRHB Haddad in USM Alger. The investment expanded the group's public-sector role into professional football. SERPORT's stated sporting objectives included building a training center, strengthening the club's administrative and technical organization, and competing for continental honors. Construction of the club's training center began in March 2021 on a site intended to include the headquarters, playing fields, changing rooms and other facilities. The group later continued to participate in USM Alger governance, including board and sporting appointments in 2024. Leadership instability has been a recurring feature of SERPORT's recent history. On 13 May 2022, chief executive Achour Djelloul was dismissed after a judicial investigation into the reported movement of 311 containers containing 1,064 disassembled Hyundai cars from the Port of Mostaganem. The investigation concerned allegations that the containers had been released and transferred in breach of applicable law. Abdelkarim Harkati was initially identified as an interim replacement, and Mohamed-Karim Eddine Harkati was formally installed as general director in June 2022 under a three-year performance contract. In April 2025, Transport Minister Saïd Sayoud dismissed Harkati, citing ineffective management. Public criticism reportedly focused in particular on the continued underuse of Annaba's maritime station, which had opened in 2023 after a construction project valued at more than four billion Algerian dinars. Abdelkrim Rezzal, a former Ministry of Transport official, was named as his replacement and was expected to improve port operations while Algeria pursued new maritime routes and wider sector modernization. The supplied reference material also reports another leadership change in August 2026, involving the dismissal of Ryad Hadjal and appointment of Ali Boulaâras. Because that event is future-dated relative to much of the available material and lacks an independent source in the supplied references, it should be treated as requiring confirmation. Overall, SERPORT remains a strategically important state-owned organization whose performance is measured by port efficiency, vessel turnaround, logistics coordination, infrastructure utilization and the broader modernization of Algeria's maritime transport system.

• 2024

  Football federation partnership

  [1]Groupe SERPORTen.wikipedia.org

  SERPORT entered a partnership protocol with the Algerian Football Federation covering support for football and national teams through 2026.

• 2023

  Annaba maritime station inaugurated

  [1]Groupe SERPORTen.wikipedia.org

  A new maritime station at the Port of Annaba was inaugurated, later becoming a focus of criticism concerning infrastructure utilization.

• 2022

  Achour Djelloul removed as CEO

  [1]Groupe SERPORTen.wikipedia.org

  Djelloul was dismissed in connection with the political and judicial controversy surrounding vehicle containers released from Mostaganem port.

• 2021

  Marine-engine project agreement

  [1]Groupe SERPORTen.wikipedia.org

  SERPORT joined Algerian industrial, university and research institutions in a project to develop domestic marine-engine manufacturing capability.

• 2021

  USM Alger training-center construction begins

  [1]Groupe SERPORTen.wikipedia.org

  Construction officially began on a planned USM Alger training and administrative complex.

• 2020

  Acquisition of a controlling stake in USM Alger

  [1]Groupe SERPORTen.wikipedia.org

  SERPORT acquired 94.34 percent of the shares previously held by ETRHB Haddad in USM Alger, extending its public-sector portfolio into professional football.

A state-owned Algerian maritime infrastructure and port-services group focused on national port governance, logistics efficiency, trade facilitation and modernization of the country's seaport network.

• Port services

  Commercial port management

  SERPORT coordinates and manages Algeria's network of commercial port enterprises. The portfolio covers major ports on the Mediterranean coast and supports vessel reception, cargo handling, storage, land-side logistics and the movement of imported and exported goods.

• Port services

  Fishing-port management

  Through the Société de Gestion des Ports de Pêche, the group is connected to the management of Algeria's fishing-port infrastructure and associated coastal maritime activities.

• Sports investment · 2020

  USM Alger sports operations

  SERPORT's controlling investment in USM Alger includes oversight of club governance, sporting administration and development infrastructure such as the club's training-center project.

• 2022

  Mostaganem Hyundai-container investigation

  A judicial inquiry examined the reported release and transfer, allegedly in violation of the law, of 311 containers containing 1,064 disassembled Hyundai vehicles imported by the Tahkout company. SERPORT chief executive Achour Djelloul was dismissed in connection with the controversy.

  Source

Read more

• 2024Algerian Football Federation partnership

  Algeria

  SERPORT partnered with the Algerian Football Federation to support football development and national teams under an agreement covering 2024 to 2026.

  Outcome. The partnership positioned SERPORT as a public-sector supporter of Algerian football.

  Source

• 2022

  Three-year performance mandate for new CEOStrategy

  Background

  Following the removal of Achour Djelloul, the transport ministry sought a new management framework for the port-services group.

  Action taken

  Mohamed-Karim Eddine Harkati was installed as general director under a three-year performance contract.

  Aftermath

  Harkati was dismissed in 2025 amid criticism of management performance.

  Source

• 2021

  Domestic marine-engine manufacturing initiativeStrategy

  Background

  The participating institutions sought greater industrial integration and lower dependence on imported maritime equipment.

  Action taken

  SERPORT signed a cooperation agreement with Algerian corporate-university, industrial-engine and scientific-research institutions to pursue marine-engine manufacturing.

  Aftermath

  The agreement established a framework for technical cooperation, although the supplied sources do not document a completed production program.

  Source

• 2020

  Acquisition of USM Alger sharesM&A

  Background

  SERPORT expanded its state-owned portfolio by acquiring the controlling stake previously held by ETRHB Haddad in USM Alger.

  Action taken

  The group took control of 94.34 percent of the club's shares and announced plans for organizational and training-infrastructure development.

  Aftermath

  SERPORT continued to oversee the club and later made additional governance and sporting appointments.

  Source

1. 1Groupe SERPORTen.wikipedia.org