Ships carrying goods will soon have a new stop on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast, as the country opens a major port designed to attract international shipping companies, create jobs and boost economic activity in its eastern region. Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan on Saturday launched operations at the first container terminal of the Nador West Med port in Nador province, marking the start of commercial activity at a project backed by 54bn dirhams ($5.5bn) in public and private investment.
The port is expected to handle 5.3 million containers a year once its two container terminals are fully operational. It forms part of a wider industrial, logistics and energy complex intended to strengthen the country’s position in trade between Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia.
The first facility, known as the Eastern Terminal, has a capacity to handle 3.5 million containers a year by 2030. Its quay stretches for 1,520m, with a water depth of 18m and 70 hectares of land for handling and storing cargo.
A consortium made up of Moroccan port operator Marsa Maroc and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), a subsidiary of the MSC shipping group, will operate the terminal under a 25-year concession. The partnership involves an investment of about 5bn dirhams. MSC is the world’s largest container shipping company, while Marsa Maroc is among Africa’s leading terminal operators.
Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan launched the first unloading operation by removing a container from a commercial vessel at the terminal.
The second facility, the Western Terminal, is expected to open in April 2027. A consortium involving Marsa Maroc and French shipping company CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping group, will operate it.
The terminal requires an investment of 3bn dirhams. It will have a 900m quay, 38 hectares of land and an annual capacity of 1.8 million containers.
Jobs and investment in the east
The project is expected to create 14,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs, particularly for young people.
A 700-hectare industrial and logistics zone is also being developed alongside the port. It has already attracted 12bn dirhams in private investment, with the aim of bringing more manufacturing and logistics businesses to the region.
The Oriental region has historically lagged behind Morocco’s main economic centres. The new port is intended to help change that by attracting companies, creating jobs and connecting local businesses to international markets.
The government is also planning training programmes to prepare young people for jobs in the port, transport, manufacturing and other activities linked to the project.
Better transport links are central to those plans. A 49km railway will connect the port to Selouane, while a 105km highway will link it to Guercif, allowing goods to move between the port, inland industrial areas and the rest of the country.
A major energy and shipping hub
Nador West Med will handle more than containers. Its facilities will also include terminals for general cargo, bulk materials, vehicles and energy products.
A general cargo terminal covering 22 hectares will have the capacity to handle 3 million tonnes a year and is expected to become operational in December 2028.
A solid bulk terminal, designed to handle 7 million tonnes annually, is due to be ready in June 2027.
A roll-on/roll-off terminal, used to transport vehicles and other wheeled cargo on and off ships, will have a capacity of 400,000 units. Its 380m quay was delivered in September 2026.
The port will also host an energy hub with facilities for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other fuels.
The LNG terminal will have a capacity of 5 billion cubic metres and a 360m quay. A separate hydrocarbons terminal will be able to handle 25 million tonnes and will have three quays, each measuring 125m. It is expected to begin operations in April 2027.
The facilities are intended to strengthen the country’s ability to import energy and supply its industries.
Complementing Tanger Med
Nador West Med is part of a wider strategy to expand the country’s role in international shipping.
The new port is designed to complement Tanger Med, the country’s established Mediterranean shipping hub, by providing additional capacity and attracting more shipping routes and investment.
The strategy also extends to the Atlantic coast, where the Dakhla Atlantic port project aims to strengthen trade links with African countries and give landlocked Sahel states better access to international markets.
Nador West Med is expected to help attract international shipping traffic, including vessels operated by major global companies such as MSC and CMA CGM.
