Marrakech – Morocco will inaugurate two major deepwater ports as part of its ambitious infrastructure expansion program. The North African kingdom plans to launch Nador West Med in late 2026, followed by the Dakhla Atlantique port in 2028.
A report by Reuters quoted Equipment and Water Minister Nizar Baraka’s recent declarations during parliamentary sessions, confirming the timelines for both strategic facilities. The Nador West Med facility, currently under construction on the Mediterranean coast, represents Morocco’s third deepwater port after Tanger Med and Jorf Lasfar.
“The Nador West Med port is ready, and its operation is scheduled for late 2026,” Baraka announced during budget presentations. The facility will feature 800 hectares designated for industrial activities, with expansion plans reaching 5,000 hectares, surpassing Tanger Med’s current industrial zones.
Replicating the Tanger Med model
The Mediterranean port will host Morocco’s first liquefied natural gas terminal through a floating storage and regasification unit. This infrastructure connects via pipeline to northwestern industrial hubs, supporting Morocco’s transition from coal dependency toward natural gas and renewable energy sources.
Part of a broader MAD 9.5 billion ($954 million) national program, the FSRU at Nador West Med and its accompanying gas pipeline network aim to secure long-term supply, enable power-plant conversion to cleaner fuels, and reinforce energy sovereignty. More than 80 international operators have already expressed interest.
Morocco has secured operational agreements with major shipping companies to ensure port viability. “We have signed conventions with large companies, notably CMA CGM, to guarantee 3 million containers per year,” Baraka stated.
The minister stressed regional connectivity beyond Driouch and Nador provinces. “We estimate that this port should not be reserved only for the zones of Driouch and Nador. All regions must benefit from it.”
Connectivity plans include highway construction between Guercif and Nador, alongside road improvements linking Taourirt, Guercif, Al Hoceima, Oujda, and Saidia via Route 16. “We also want to establish a link with Fez-Meknes so that this port also benefits this region, because the time to reach Fez does not exceed two hours,” Baraka explained.
Backed by more than €300 million in European financing, Nador West Med is emerging as Morocco’s next deep-water transshipment hub – a project already causing deep concern across Spanish ports.
Designed to replicate Tanger Med’s model, the terminal sits directly on major East-West shipping lanes and is poised to handle between 3.5 and 5.5 million containers annually, matching Algeciras.
With Tanger Med now ranking among the world’s top-performing ports and handling more than twice Algeciras’ throughput, Spain fears Nador West Med will accelerate Morocco’s dominance of Mediterranean trade.
Gateway to Sahel trade corridors
The Dakhla Atlantique project advances simultaneously on Morocco’s Atlantic coast in the Western Sahara region. Recent UN Resolution 2797 has further confirmed that the autonomy plan within Moroccan sovereignty serves as the basis for any future negotiations regarding the territory.
International investments have increased significantly, mainly from France and the United States, supporting large-scale infrastructure and regional connectivity projects.
A recent Canary Islands business delegation also visited Dakhla earlier this month to explore new investment opportunities, reflecting strengthened Morocco-Spain cooperation since Madrid’s 2022 endorsement of the autonomy plan.
Construction progress remains on schedule for the 2028 completion target, following Baraka’s November site inspection.
The MAD 12.4 billion ($1.24 billion) facility covers 1,650 hectares and will become Morocco’s deepest port at 23 meters. This depth accommodates heavy industries processing raw materials from Sahel countries.
Officials position the port as a gateway connecting landlocked Sahel nations to global trade routes under the Atlantic Initiative by King Mohammed VI.
The port will handle approximately 2.2 million tons of goods and 950,000 tons of seafood products during initial operations. Surrounding infrastructure comprises 1,600 hectares for industrial activities and 5,200 hectares of farmland irrigated through desalinated water systems.
The facilities will accommodate activities related to fishing, naval industry, processing industries, and green hydrogen development and export.
Both ports will feature dedicated quays for green hydrogen exports once production commences. The facilities support Morocco’s renewable energy strategy and position the country as a regional hub for sustainable energy exports.
Morocco also evaluates additional port development in Tan-Tan through partnerships with green hydrogen investors. “We are conducting studies to decide the appropriate size of the port,” Baraka noted.
The Tanger Med success story provides the development model for these new facilities. By 2024, industrial zones near Tanger Med hosted 1,400 companies employing 130,000 workers across automotive, aeronautics, textiles, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors.
Further, the port-industrial complex – combining advanced infrastructure, logistics zones, and dedicated free-zones –has established itself as a major Mediterranean and African hub with strategic connectivity and diversified industrial clusters.
These infrastructure investments strengthen Morocco’s position as a strategic gateway between Africa and Europe while supporting the kingdom’s economic diversification goals.
Read also: Morocco Ports Handle 95% of the Country’s Foreign Trade, Says Minister Nizar Baraka
