King Mohammed VI chaired a meeting at the Royal Palace in Rabat to review progress on the Nador West Med port complex and the planned expansion of Tanger Med through the construction of Tanger Med 3. The meeting focused on the progress of both projects and their next development stages, as Morocco seeks to expand its maritime infrastructure and strengthen its competitiveness in international trade.
Nador West Med has attracted MAD 54 billion ($5.4 billion) in public and private investment, combining port infrastructure with industrial, logistics, and energy facilities. The complex's first container terminal is expected to begin operations soon, with a handling capacity of 3.5 million containers. A second terminal, with a capacity of 1.8 million containers, is scheduled to enter service in April 2027.
The Nador West Med project includes significant energy infrastructure, such as a hydrocarbon terminal connected to a storage zone with a potential capacity of four million cubic meters and a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal capable of processing up to five billion cubic meters of gas annually. The port complex will also feature terminals for solid bulk cargo and general merchandise.
The industrial zone associated with Nador West Med is already operational, with one factory currently operating and three others under construction. The complex is expected to create 14,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs in the short term, opening new employment opportunities in the surrounding region.
Plans for Tanger Med 3 include the construction of a new port with 1,200 meters of quays, providing an additional annual handling capacity of 4.5 million containers. The project requires MAD 8 billion ($800 million) in investment and includes a concession agreement with Maersk-APM for the development of the new container terminal.
The expansion of Tanger Med aims to increase its total handling capacity to 20 million containers, potentially placing the complex among the world's 10 largest ports. King Mohammed VI emphasized the importance of ensuring that the investments translate into tangible improvements in living conditions and employment opportunities for local populations.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Royal Advisor Fouad Ali El Himma, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, and Minister of Economy, Finance and Public Performance Fouzi Lekjaa. The projects are part of Morocco's efforts to strengthen its position in global supply chains, encourage investment, and support economic development in surrounding regions.
Key points
- Nador West Med and Tanger Med 3 port projects aim to strengthen Morocco's position in global maritime trade and create thousands of jobs.
- The projects have attracted significant investment, including MAD 54 billion ($5.4 billion) for Nador West Med and MAD 8 billion ($800 million) for Tanger Med 3.
- The developments are expected to have a positive impact on local communities, with King Mohammed VI calling for tangible benefits and job creation.
