A new container terminal at Nador West Med is expected to open in 2027, after port operator Marsa Maroc completed a deal with French shipping group CMA CGM to develop and run the facility. CMA Terminals, a subsidiary of CMA CGM, has acquired a 49% stake in Nador Container Terminal, the company responsible for operating the terminal. Marsa Maroc retains the remaining 51%, giving it a majority share of the business.
The deal was completed after receiving approval from the relevant authorities. It puts into effect a partnership agreement signed by the two companies in October 2025.
The terminal is designed to handle up to 1.8 million standard shipping containers a year once it reaches full capacity. Its facilities will include 900 metres of quays, a water depth of 18 metres and a storage area covering 37.5 hectares — roughly the size of 52 football pitches.
The partnership gives Marsa Maroc access to CMA Terminals’ international experience in running container ports. The French company operates about 66 terminals across major international trade routes.
Marsa Maroc said the deal was part of its Marsa 2030 strategic plan, which aims to expand its business and drive growth through partnerships with international companies in the port sector.
The group currently operates 36 terminals across 21 ports and handles more than 67 million tonnes of cargo each year.
The Nador West Med project is expected to strengthen its position in container handling and expand its capacity as the new terminal prepares to begin operations in 2027.
