On October 31, Prince Moulay El Hassan, the Crown Prince of Morocco, officially launched operations at the first container terminal of the Nador West Med port in the province of Nador. This event marks a crucial step in the development of this industrial-port complex, which has attracted 54 billion dirhams in public and private investments. The project aims to strengthen Morocco's position in international maritime trade and create new industrial and logistics hubs.
The Nador West Med port is a strategic project that aligns with King Mohammed VI's vision to develop infrastructure, enhance economic competitiveness, and create new growth poles. The port's first container terminal, also known as the "East" terminal, has a capacity of 1.520 meters of quay, a draft of 18 meters, and 70 hectares of land. By 2030, it is expected to handle 3.5 million containers annually. The terminal's construction required an investment of around 5 billion dirhams.
The operation and maintenance of the terminal have been concessioned to a consortium formed by Marsa Maroc and Terminal Investment Limited, a subsidiary of the MSC group, for a period of 25 years. The terminal is expected to play a vital role in Morocco's maritime trade, providing a diversified, efficient, and internationally compliant port infrastructure. The project also includes a second container terminal, known as the "West" terminal, with a capacity of 1.8 million EVP.
The Nador West Med port complex will feature various installations to diversify its operational capabilities and meet the needs of different economic sectors. These include a terminal for various goods, a bulk cargo terminal, a roll-on/roll-off terminal, and an energy hub with a liquefied natural gas terminal and an oil products terminal. The project's scope extends beyond the port, with plans to develop an industrial and logistics ecosystem to stimulate investment and create new economic activities.
The project's expected impact on employment is significant, with 14,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs anticipated in the short term. The development of the port will also be accompanied by infrastructure projects, including a 49-kilometer railway and a 105-kilometer highway connection. Training programs will be implemented to prepare local skills for emerging industries, ports, and logistics.
The Nador West Med port is expected to become a new growth pole in the Oriental region, attracting productive investments, diversifying the economic fabric, and creating new employment opportunities. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Mediterranean, European, Middle Eastern, and Asian trade routes will enable Morocco to strengthen its presence in international maritime trade and consolidate its status as a logistics platform.
The launch of the Nador West Med port's operations is a significant milestone in Morocco's development, marking a new era in the country's maritime and logistics sector. The project is part of a broader strategy to develop a diversified, competitive, and internationally compliant national port network, with Tanger Med and Dakhla Atlantique ports also playing key roles.
Key points
- The Nador West Med port's first container terminal has a capacity of 3.5 million containers annually.
- The project has attracted 54 billion dirhams in public and private investments.
- The port is expected to generate 14,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs in the short term.
