King Mohammed VI of Morocco recently chaired a working session at the Royal Palace in Rabat to review progress on the development of the Nador West Med (NWM) port complex and the expansion of the Tanger Med port. The meeting, which took place on October 29, 2026, focused on the advancement of these strategic projects, which aim to enhance Morocco's port infrastructure and strengthen its position in the global logistics market.
The NWM project, which combines port infrastructure with industrial, logistics, and energy platforms, has mobilized 54 billion dirhams in public and private investments. The project's first container terminal, set to be operational soon, will have a capacity of 3.5 million containers, while a second terminal with a capacity of 1.8 million containers is expected to be operational by April 2027. These terminals will require 8 billion dirhams in private investment.
The NWM complex is expected to create 14,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs in the short term. The project's industrial zone, which is already operational, hosts one active factory and three others under construction. The complex will also feature a hydrocarbon terminal, a liquefied natural gas terminal, and facilities for solid bulk and general cargo.
The expansion of the Tanger Med port, which will include the development of Tanger Med 3, aims to increase the complex's capacity to 20 million containers, positioning it among the top 10 ports globally. The new terminal will have 1,200 meters of quay and a capacity of 4.5 million containers per year, with an investment of 8 billion dirhams. A concession agreement has been signed with Maersk-APM, a leading global shipping company.
King Mohammed VI emphasized the need for the economic and social benefits of these projects to be felt by local populations and for tangible improvements to be made in their daily lives. The monarch also called for the acceleration of adapted training programs to facilitate the professional integration of young people.
The working session was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the King's Advisor, Fouad Ali El Himma, and various ministers, such as Abdelouafi Laftit, Fouzi Lekjaa, Nizar Baraka, and Ryad Mezzour. The president of the TMSA and Nador West Med boards of directors, Fouad Brini, also participated in the meeting.
The development of Morocco's port system is part of the King's vision to boost the country's competitiveness and promote economic growth. The NWM and Tanger Med projects are expected to have a significant impact on the country's economy and will help to strengthen its position as a major player in the global logistics market.
Key points
- Morocco's King Mohammed VI is driving efforts to develop a more efficient port system to boost the country's competitiveness in the face of shifting global value chains.
- The Nador West Med port complex and the expansion of the Tanger Med port are expected to create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth.
- The projects will require significant investments and will have a major impact on Morocco's economy and its position in the global logistics market.
