On Wednesday, His Majesty King Mohammed VI presided over a significant work session at the Royal Palace in Rabat, focusing on the advancement of the Nador West Mediterranean port and industrial complex. This project is set to see its first operational phase commence in the coming days. The session also addressed the expansion of the Tangier Med port, particularly the launch of works for the new Tangier Med 3 port.
In a statement from the Royal Cabinet, it was highlighted that this meeting is a continuation of previous sessions led by the King, aimed at developing major port projects across the Kingdom. The President of the Supervisory Board of the Tangier Med Special Agency, along with the Chairman of the Nador West Mediterranean Board, presented a report on the progress of both projects and the upcoming stages of their development.
These new ventures align with the royal vision for establishing an effective port system in Morocco, enhancing the Kingdom's competitiveness amid the evolving global value chains. This ambition combines national growth with regional development, supported by better public investment distribution, mobilization of private capital, and the creation of promising job prospects that will have a tangible impact on local communities, thereby fostering the creation of added value within these regions.
The establishment of the Nador West Mediterranean port aims to complement the offerings of the Tangier Med port and further enhance Morocco's logistical, industrial, and energy positioning. The project has seen investments amounting to 54 billion dirhams from both public and private sectors, focusing on port infrastructures, industrial, logistical, and energy platforms.
The first container terminal at this port, which will be operational soon, is expected to have a capacity of 3.5 million containers upon completion, while a second terminal is projected to open in April 2027 with a capacity of 1.8 million containers. The development of these terminals will require an infusion of 8 billion dirhams in private investments.
Additionally, the energy component will include a fuel station with a potential storage capacity of 4 million cubic meters, along with a liquefied natural gas terminal capable of processing up to 5 billion cubic meters annually. These significant investments are part of strengthening the Kingdom's energy security in accordance with the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI regarding this matter.
The port offerings will also be bolstered by a solid bulk cargo terminal and another designated for various goods. Currently, the industrial zone has one operational factory and three others under construction, providing new opportunities for activities and professional integration. In the short term, the Nador West Mediterranean complex is expected to create 1,400 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs.
This dynamic will be supported by the development of connectivity infrastructures, particularly the railway link from Selouane to Nador West Mediterranean, the highway from Jerada to Nador West Mediterranean, and upgrades to the road network, all aimed at improving connections to neighboring regions.
Concurrently, the Tangier Med expansion project presented to His Majesty is set to enhance the capabilities of this port complex with the anticipated launch of work on Tangier Med 3. This new port, located west of Tangier Med 2, will feature 1,200 meters of quays with an additional capacity of 4.5 million containers annually, backed by an investment of nearly 8 billion dirhams.
A concession agreement has been signed with Maersk-APM, a global leader in maritime transport, to develop the new container terminal. This development is also in line with the ongoing expansion of the passenger port and the international freight truck port, allowing for the eastern expansion of Tangier Med 2.
With the completion of these new projects, the total capacity of the Tangier Med port complex will reach 20 million containers, positioning it among the top ten ports globally.
At the conclusion of this work session, His Majesty King Mohammed VI emphasized the importance of ensuring that all regions involved benefit from the economic and social impacts of these projects, with particular focus on the local population. In this context, the King urged the acceleration of training programs tailored to the needs of emerging activities to facilitate the professional integration of youth.
The meeting was attended by the King's advisor Mr. Fouad Ali El Himma, Minister of Interior Mr. Abdelouafi Laftit, Minister of Economy and Finance Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister of Equipment, Water and Forests Mr. Nizar Baraka, Minister of Industry, Trade, Investment and Economic Integration Mr. Ryad Mezzour, and the President of the Supervisory Board of the Tangier Med Special Agency along with the Chairman of the Nador West Mediterranean Mr. Fouad Brini.
As reported by agadirinfo.ma.
