King Mohammed VI's Vision for Morocco's Port Development
On October 28, 2026, His Majesty King Mohammed VI convened a significant working session at the Royal Palace in Rabat, dedicated to the progress of the Nador West Med port and industrial complex. This meeting comes as the first phase of this ambitious project is set to begin operations shortly, alongside discussions regarding the expansion of Tangier Med port, specifically the initiation of the new Tangier Med 3 port. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance Morocco's maritime infrastructure, which plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic development.
During the session, which built on previous discussions focused on major port projects in the kingdom, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Tangier Med special agency presented a detailed report to the King regarding the progress of these projects and the upcoming phases of development. These initiatives are part of a broader royal vision aimed at establishing an efficient port system in Morocco, enhancing the country's competitiveness in the face of global value chain transformations.
Investment and Economic Impact of New Port Initiatives
The Nador West Med port is designed to complement the existing Tangier Med port, bolstering Morocco’s logistical, industrial, and energy positioning. To date, this project has seen a total investment of 54 billion dirhams, allocated from both public and private sectors, aimed at developing necessary port infrastructures, industrial platforms, and logistics facilities. The first container terminal is expected to offer a capacity of 3.5 million containers upon completion, with a second terminal scheduled to commence operations in April 2027, providing an additional capacity of 1.8 million containers. The construction of these terminals will require an investment of 8 billion dirhams in private capital.
Moreover, the energy component of the project includes the operation of a fuel station with a storage capacity of up to 4 million cubic meters, as well as a liquefied natural gas terminal capable of processing 5 billion cubic meters annually. These significant investments align with the royal directives aimed at enhancing the kingdom’s energy security.
In addition, the industrial zone associated with the Nador West Med port is already operational, featuring one factory currently in production and three others under construction, which are expected to create new employment opportunities. In the short term, this complex is projected to generate 1,400 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs. The development is further supported by infrastructure improvements, including rail connections and road upgrades to ensure better accessibility to surrounding regions.
Simultaneously, the expansion of the Tangier Med port, as detailed during this working session, will further bolster the capabilities of this maritime complex. The new Tangier Med 3 port, which will be constructed west of Tangier Med 2, is set to feature 1,200 meters of docks with an additional capacity of 4.5 million containers annually, backed by an investment of approximately 8 billion dirhams. A concession contract has been signed with Maersk-APM, a global leader in maritime transport, to develop this new container terminal.
With the completion of these new projects, the total capacity of the Tangier Med port complex is expected to reach 20 million containers, positioning it among the top ten ports worldwide. At the conclusion of the meeting, King Mohammed VI emphasized the importance of ensuring that the economic and social benefits of these projects extend to all relevant regions, ultimately serving the local populations.
In this context, His Majesty called for the acceleration of training programs tailored to the needs of emerging sectors, facilitating the professional integration of youth. This meeting was attended by several key officials, including Mr. Fouad Ali El Himma, advisor to the King, and various ministers overseeing economic, infrastructure, and investment sectors.
As reported by maroc.ma.
