Portrait – Abdelkrim Rezal, New Chairman and CEO of the SERPORT Group and a Leading Figure in Algeria’s Maritime Sector
Hailing from the coastal city of Dellys, where maritime culture is deeply rooted in the life of the city and its ancient port still bears the marks of a long-standing tradition, Abdelkrim Rezal fully embodies Algeria’s rich maritime heritage.
With over forty years of experience in the maritime field, he was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the SERPORT Group at the end of April 2025. He is widely recognized as a leading authority in Algeria’s maritime sector. A living witness to the fascinating and ever-evolving history of this industry, he represents both the legacy and the modernity of a strategic sector for the country.
Mr. Rezal graduated as a First-Class Marine Engineer Officer from the Higher Maritime Institute (ISM) in Bou Ismaïl in 1983, and later earned a Master’s degree in Maritime Engineering from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö, Sweden, in 1985. He began his career aboard ships of the National Navigation Company (CNAN). It was with great regret that he had to leave the sea following a serious work-related accident that nearly cost him his life, leading him to shift his career toward maritime training and central administration.
He subsequently devoted much of his professional life to maritime education and held strategic roles within the Ministry of Transport, notably serving as Director of Merchant Shipping and Ports in Algeria.
Though recently appointed at the helm of SERPORT, Mr. Rezal quickly earned the respect and admiration of his teams thanks to his inspiring leadership and recognized expertise. Under his direction, several major achievements have already marked the beginning of his term: the historic arrival of the first gantry cranes (container cranes) in Algeria, a key milestone in the modernization of port infrastructure; the inauguration of three new quays at the Port of Algiers, enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of the country’s leading commercial port; and the recent victory of USMA Algiers, the football club owned by the SERPORT Group, which won the prestigious Algerian Cup.
These accomplishments reflect his commitment to combining economic performance, technological innovation, and socio-cultural influence, positioning Mr. Rezal as a key figure in the development of Algeria’s maritime sector.
