Accra, Nov. 3, GNA-His Majesty King Mohammed VI has chaired a working session to review progress on the Nador West Med (NWM) port complex and the expansion of the Tanger Med complex, including the launch of works on the new Tanger Med 3 port.
The session formed part of a series of meetings dedicated to major national port projects and featured a presentation on the status of the two developments and the next stages of their implementation.
The projects are aligned with Morocco’s strategy to strengthen its port infrastructure and enhance the country’s competitiveness amid shifts in global value chains.
They are also intended to support balanced regional development, attract private investment and create employment opportunities.
Officials said the Nador West Med project, which combines port, industrial, logistics and energy facilities, has mobilised 54 billion dirhams in public and private investment to date.
The first phase of the port’s initial container terminal is expected to enter service in the coming days and will ultimately provide a capacity of 3.5 million containers.
A second terminal with a capacity of 1.8 million containers is scheduled to become operational in April 2027.
The project’s energy component includes a hydrocarbon terminal supported by storage facilities with a potential capacity of four million cubic metres, as well as a liquefied natural gas terminal capable of processing up to five billion cubic metres annually.
Additional facilities will include terminals for solid bulk cargo and general cargo.
The industrial zone linked to the port is already operational, with one factory currently active and three others under construction.
Once completed, the Nador West Med complex is expected to generate about 14,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs.
Supporting infrastructure projects include the Selouane-NWM railway connection, the Guercif-NWM motorway and upgrades to the road network serving surrounding areas.
During the session, the Sovereign was also briefed on the Tanger Med expansion programme. The proposed Tanger Med 3 port, to be located west of Tanger Med 2, will feature 1,200 metres of quays and provide an additional annual handling capacity of 4.5 million containers.
The project represents an investment of eight billion dirhams.
A concession agreement has been signed with Maersk-APM for the development of the new container terminal.
Authorities noted that the expansion programme also includes ongoing works to enlarge passenger and roll-on/roll-off facilities and facilitate the eastern extension of Tanger Med 2.
Upon completion of the new developments, the Tanger Med port complex is projected to reach a total capacity of 20 million containers, strengthening its position among the world’s leading ports.
At the close of the meeting, King Mohammed VI stressed the need for the economic and social benefits of the projects to be felt across the provinces concerned and to deliver tangible improvements in local communities.
The King also called for the accelerated implementation of training programmes tailored to emerging sectors to support youth employment and professional integration.
The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including Adviser to the King Fouad Ali El Himma, Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit, Economy, Finance and Public Performance Minister Fouzi Lekjaa, Equipment, Water and Forests Minister Nizar Baraka, Industry, Trade, Investment and Economic Inclusion Minister Ryad Mezzour, and TMSA Oversight Board Chairman Fouad Brini.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade