The strategic port of Nador West Med is set to benefit from a major maritime partnership: a joint venture between Marsa Maroc and Boluda Towage France has secured the 20-year towage and maritime assistance contract, following an international call for tenders. The agreement includes the creation of a dedicated subsidiary and an investment of MAD 488.25 million (approximately €45 million) in a state-of-the-art tugboat fleet.
The authorization, effective from the last quarter of 2026, will be managed by a new company owned 51% by Boluda Towage France—a subsidiary of global maritime giant Boluda Corporación Marítima—and 49% by Marsa Maroc, a key player in Moroccan port logistics.
The joint venture will acquire four tugboats, each with a bollard pull of 80 tons, to meet the operational needs of Nador West Med. This investment will significantly enhance the port’s capacity to handle complex maritime maneuvers and larger vessels.
This deal also supports Marsa Maroc’s strategy to develop its recently launched Towing Business Unit, aimed at consolidating and expanding its expertise in this high-skill area. Currently, the unit provides maritime towage services in seven Moroccan ports: Nador, Al Hoceima, Mohammedia, Safi, Agadir, Laâyoune, and Dakhla.
The Nador West Med contract represents a key step in reinforcing the port’s operational excellence and confirms its growing importance in Morocco’s national maritime landscape.
