Rabat – Morocco’s 14 international ports handle 95% of the country’s overall foreign exchanges, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka said on Tuesday during a parliamentary session at the House of Councillors.
Responding to questions on the Moroccan port sector, Baraka pointed to the strong performance and profitability of the nation’s 44 ports, noting that Morocco ranks 20th globally in maritime connectivity.
He affirmed that this ranking reflects the country’s sustained efforts to enhance its port infrastructure and boost its role in global trade.
The minister recalled that Morocco is home to Africa’s largest port, Tanger Med, which handled over 10 million containers last year. He also announced progress on the new Nador West Med port, whose operations are scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.
The port, located in the Oriental region, is expected to become a major development hub, featuring an integrated industrial zone designed to attract significant investment.
Baraka further mentioned ongoing feasibility studies for new port projects, including one in Tan-Tan, as well as expansion works at key ports such as Tanger Med, Jorf Lasfar, Tarfaya, Casablanca, Agadir, and Jebha.
He added that modernization efforts are also underway at several urban ports, including Al Hoceima, and that redevelopment projects are progressing at the Tanger Ville and Casablanca ports.
The Casablanca port alone welcomed more than 40,000 passengers in the past two months, reflecting its growing role in passenger and trade transport alike.
Morocco’s ports continue to play a central role in driving the country’s trade performance. By the end of September, overall port traffic reached 196.8 million tons, marking an 11.2% increase compared to 177 million tons during the same period last year, according to data from port authorities.
This growth was primarily driven by the transshipment segment, which rose by 15.7% to 97.9 million tons and now represents nearly half of total port activity (49.7%). Domestic traffic also expanded by 7.1%, reaching 98.9 million tons.
