Morocco is developing two deepwater ports to enhance global trade, with Nador West Med opening by 2026 and Dakhla by 2028.
Morocco is advancing two significant deepwater port projects aimed at enhancing its role in global trade, according to reports from Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
The Ministry of Equipment and Water announced that Nador West Med, located on the Mediterranean coast, is set to open by late 2026. This port is designed to serve as a transshipment hub, with an initial capacity of 1.8 million TEU, which is expected to increase to 5.5 million TEU in subsequent phases.
Nador West Med aims to compete with major European ports such as Algeciras and Valencia. Concessions have been awarded, with Marsa Maroc and CMA Terminals managing the West Terminal, while MSC Group's Terminal Investment Limited will operate the second container terminal.
The port's strategic location near East-West shipping routes includes a free industrial zone covering 800 hectares, which can be expanded to 5,000 hectares. Additionally, it will host Morocco's first LNG terminal, featuring a floating storage and regasification unit connected to industrial centers in the northwest.
Further south, Morocco is constructing a $1 billion port at Dakhla on the Atlantic coast, expected to be completed by 2028. This facility will be the country's deepest, with a depth of 23 meters, and will encompass 1,600 hectares for industrial use and 5,200 hectares of farmland irrigated by desalinated water.
Both Nador and Dakhla ports will include quays for exporting green hydrogen once production commences, highlighting Morocco's commitment to renewable energy. These developments follow the success of Tanger Med, which by 2024 supported 1,400 firms across various sectors.
