Morocco continues to strengthen its position on the international maritime scene with the development of the deep-water port of Nador West Med. This strategic project is designed to redefine the logistical balance of Western Mediterranean and improve the competitiveness of the Kingdom both in the region and globally.

A ambitious project in several phases

Aziz Yahya, coordinator of studies and works, announced that the port should enter service by the end of 2026. The first phase of infrastructure is already completed, while the manufacture of operational equipment is underway, led by Marsa Maroc and its industrial partners.

The project unfolds in three phases, and the extension of the west quay has been accelerated to respond to a higher demand than initial forecasts. By 2026, Nador West Med will be able to handle 5 million containers (TEU), with a long-term target of 15 to 17 million, complementing the port of Tanger Med.

Together, these two hubs position Morocco as a major player in maritime transport in the Mediterranean, supported by a flexible regulatory framework and recognized logistical performance.

An integrated industrial zone

The launch of port operation will coincide with the opening of the first tranche of an 800-hectare industrial and logistics zone. On these lands, 270 hectares will be specifically dedicated to green industries and manufacturing.

This integrated complex will combine port activities, industrial operations, and services in a free trade zone, thus reinforcing the attractiveness of the territory and attracting investments in promising sectors such as automotive, renewable energy, chemistry, and textiles.

A strategic position

Located 160 nautical miles from the Strait of Gibraltar, traversed each year by nearly 120,000 ships, Nador West Med benefits from a strategic proximity to European, American, and African markets. The site is also well connected to road and air networks, within an hour’s reach of major existing and emerging industrial zones.

Modern infrastructure

The port will be equipped with cutting-edge infrastructure, including a 5 km breakwater, a 2,420 meter container terminal built on 120 hectares, as well as portal cranes and electrical central stations. It will also have 56 service posts and an automobile terminal capable of accommodating 400 vehicles.

A significant economic impact

This project should generate between 80,000 and 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the first years, mobilizing more than 8 billion dirhams of public and private investments. With Nador West Med, Morocco equips itself with a major strategic tool to dynamize its logistics, strengthen its industry, and increase its role in international maritime trade, thus affirming its ambition to become an indispensable maritime and industrial hub in the Western Mediterranean.