King Mohammed VI Reviews Progress of Nador West Med Port, Urges Timely Launch
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: King Mohammed VI on Wednesday chaired a working session at the Royal Palace in Casablanca devoted to the Nador West Med port and industrial complex, a flagship strategic project mobilising MAD 51 billion ($5.64 billion) in public and private investment, according to a Royal Palace statement.
During the meeting, the monarch reviewed the state of progress of the project and issued directives to ensure the port’s operational launch later this year under optimal conditions.
Fouad Brini, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nador West Med, briefed the King on the advancement of works, highlighting the project’s role in supporting Morocco’s socio-economic development, particularly through job creation.
Officials informed King Mohammed VI that all core infrastructure has been completed, including 5.4 kilometres of breakwaters, four kilometres of quays and four energy stations. Port concession contracts for the two container terminals have also been signed and are set to be gradually brought into operation starting this year.
The meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the project, which includes the development of a new energy hub housing Morocco’s first liquefied natural gas terminal, with an annual capacity of five billion cubic metres, in addition to a hydrocarbons terminal. In its initial phase, the port will be capable of handling up to five million containers and 35 million tonnes of liquid and solid bulk annually.
In the longer term, the project aims to increase capacity to 12 million containers and 15 million tonnes of liquid bulk per year.
The Nador West Med complex will also feature a new activity zone covering 700 hectares in its first phase. According to the Royal Palace statement, confirmed private investments in the port and industrial complex currently stand at MAD 20 billion, reflecting strong confidence from leading international maritime and industrial players in Morocco’s investment environment.
Upon reviewing the project’s progress, King Mohammed VI called on all stakeholders to take the necessary measures to ensure the timely launch of the complex and to rapidly implement training programmes to support investors and facilitate the integration of young people into the workforce. He also instructed that the benefits of the investments be distributed across all provinces.
The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit, Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka, Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, and Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali.
Last year, Minister Nizar Baraka said the Nador West Med Port was ready for operation, noting that the facility will initially feature 800 hectares dedicated to industrial activities, with expansion plans reaching up to 5,000 hectares.
The port is expected to replicate the success of the Tanger Med complex, which has significantly strengthened Morocco’s position as a gateway linking Africa and Europe. Morocco also plans to launch the Dakhla Atlantique mega port in 2028, further reinforcing the country’s role as a strategic hub for trade corridors connecting the Sahel and global markets.
