Rabat — King Mohammed VI chaired a working session on Wednesday at the Royal Palace in Casablanca devoted to the Nador West Med port and industrial complex. The project mobilized MAD 51 billion ($5.64 billion) in public and private investment.
During the meeting, the King reviewed the state of progress and gave directives to ensure the port’s operational launch later this year.
Fouad Brini, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nador West Med, gave a presentation during the meeting on the progress of the project aimed to contribute to Morocco’s socio-economic development, particularly job creation.
The official informed King Mohammed VI during the meeting that all basic infrastructure has been completed, including 5.4 kilometers of breakwaters, 4 kilometers of quays, and four energy stations.
“The port concession contracts for the two container terminals have been signed and will be progressively brought into operation starting this year,” the statement said.
The meeting offered an overview of the project. The initiative boasts a new energy hub holding Morocco’s first liquefied natural gas terminal with an annual capacity of five billion cubic meters, as well as a hydrocarbons terminal.
The development aims to boost Morocco’s energy sovereignty across its working regions.
The port will have the initial capacity of handling five million containers and 35 million tons of liquid and solid bulk per year.
In the long term, the project aims to boost that output to 12 million containers and 15 million tons of liquid bulk per year.
The complex will also include a new activity zone covering 700 hectares in the first phase.
“Private investments confirmed to date in this new port and industrial complex amount to MAD 20 billion, reflecting the confidence placed in Morocco by major international maritime and industrial players,” the Royal Palace statement reads.
Upon reviewing the project developments, King Mohammed VI urged all stakeholders to take the necessary measures to ensure the project’s timely launch in the best possible conditions and to rapidly implement training programs to support investors and facilitate youth integration.
The monarch also gave instructions to ensure that the benefits of investments cover all provinces.
Several officials attended the meeting, including Minister of Interior Abdelouafi Laftit, Minister of Economy Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Water Nizar Baraka, Minister of Industry Ryad Mezzour, and Minister of Energy Leila Benali.
Last year, Baraka emphasized that the Nador West Med Port is ready, stating the facility will feature 800 hectares designed for industrial activities with expansion plans reaching 5,000 hectares.
The port aims to replicate the successful Tanger Med model, which greatly contributes to Morocco’s position as a gateway to Africa and Europe, and beyond.
Morocco also aims to launch the mega Dakhla Atlantique port in 2028, which similarly aims to ensure Morocco’s momentum as a gateway to Sahel trade corridors.