King Mohammed VI chaired a working session at the Royal Palace in Rabat to review the progress of two significant port projects: the launch of Tanger Med 3 and the entry into operation of Nador West Med. The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the King's advisor Fouad Ali El Himma and government ministers Abdelouafi Laftit, Fouzi Lekjaa, Nizar Baraka, and Ryad Mezzour. The projects aim to solidify Morocco's position as a major player in the Mediterranean port industry.
The Tanger Med 3 project is set to commence in the coming days, with the construction of a new port located west of Tanger Med 2. The project involves the development of approximately 3,000 meters of dykes and a container terminal with 1,200 meters of quays. The terminal is expected to have an annual capacity of 4.5 million EVP, potentially increasing to 5 million EVP in the future. The project represents an investment of 8 billion dirhams, led by Tanger Med, and includes a concession agreement with Maersk-APM for the development and operation of the new terminal.
The Tanger Med 3 project is part of a larger program to extend the Tanger Med complex, with a total investment of 36 billion dirhams, including 20 billion dirhams in public investments and 16 billion dirhams in private investments. The program also includes the development of a new terminal at Tanger Med 2, which will add 1.6 million EVP, and the expansion of the passenger and ro-ro port. Once completed, the Tanger Med complex is expected to approach 20 million EVP in annual capacity, placing it among the top 10 container ports globally.
The Nador West Med project, located on the eastern coast of Morocco, has entered its operational phase. The project has mobilized 54 billion dirhams in public and private investments, with the aim of establishing a deep-water port that complements Tanger Med. The complex comprises several specialized terminals and industrial platforms, designed to support Morocco's industrial and economic growth.
According to projections, the extension of the Tanger Med complex and the development of Nador West Med are expected to attract significant investments and create new jobs. The projects are anticipated to generate approximately 100 billion dirhams in additional private investments and create around 80,000 jobs. The industrial platform's turnover is expected to increase from 188 billion dirhams to nearly 350 billion dirhams by 2035.
The successful implementation of these projects will depend on the actual arrival of new investors and the realization of the projected growth. However, with the King's emphasis on accelerating Morocco's port strategy, the country is poised to strengthen its position as a major hub in the Mediterranean region. The development of Tanger Med 3 and Nador West Med is a key component of Morocco's efforts to enhance its economic competitiveness and attract foreign investment.
Key points
- Morocco aims to increase its port capacity to nearly 20 million containers with the development of Tanger Med 3 and Nador West Med.
- The Tanger Med 3 project represents an investment of 8 billion dirhams and is expected to have an annual capacity of 4.5 million EVP.
- The Nador West Med project has mobilized 54 billion dirhams in investments and is designed to complement Tanger Med as a deep-water port.
