Project Overview

As a southern metropolis and the economic capital of the Saharan provinces, the city of Laâyoune features a port complex consisting of two sites:

• The sheltered port, built in 1986, focuses on fishing, hydrocarbons, and sand exports;

• The phosphate wharf, constructed in 1968, specifically addresses the export needs of Boucraa phosphate, which is transported via conveyors.

In 2005, the Laâyoune port underwent significant infrastructure upgrades that doubled its capacity and improved ship handling conditions.

Port Infrastructure

The port boasts substantial infrastructure, which includes:

Protective Structures:

• Main breakwater with a total length of 1,925 meters;
• Transverse breakwater with a total length of 1,050 meters;
• Counter breakwater;
• Old counter breakwater measuring 225 meters;
• New counter breakwater measuring 220 meters;
• Sand stop groin measuring 141 meters.

Berthing Structures:

1. Fishing port:

• Quay No. 4, measuring 225 meters at -4.00 meters for fish unloading;
• Quay No. 5, measuring 295 meters at -4.00 meters for fish unloading;
• 10 fish unloading stations with a total length of 150 meters at -4.00 meters;
• Floating docks measuring 72 meters.

2. Commercial Port

• Quay No. 1, measuring 150 meters at -6.50 meters for sand and hydrocarbon traffic;
• Quay No. 4, measuring 276 meters at -6.50 meters for various and hydrocarbon traffic;
• Quay No. 2, measuring 143 meters at -6.50 meters for various traffic;
• A Ro-Ro ramp with a width of 25 meters.

Land Area:16.60 hectares designated for fishing and commercial activities.

Basin:Water area of 33 hectares.

Additionally, the port features a shipyard that includes:

• A dock approximately 10 meters wide and 36 meters long with a draft of 4 meters;
• A quay of 52 meters, with 18 meters on the left side of the dock and 34 meters on the right side;
• Land areas totaling approximately 9,800 square meters.

Port Operations

The port accommodates over 350 vessels annually (including bulk carriers, RoRo ships, chemical tankers, phosphate carriers, bulkers, oil tankers, etc.). The traffic of vessels, whether commercial or fishing, is represented in the following table: