On the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan launched operations on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the first container terminal of the Nador West Med port, in the province of Nador (Morocco). This commissioning marks the start of operations for the industrial and port complex, which has mobilized 54 billion dirhams of public and private investment.
Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan inaugurated the first unloading operation of a container from a commercial vessel at the “East” terminal, located in the municipality of Laâzzanène. This initial operation marks the beginning of the operational phase of an infrastructure project designed to strengthen Morocco’s port capacity and support the industrial and logistical development of the Oriental region.
A capacity of 5.3 million containers in the long term.
The first facility to become operational, the “East” terminal, has 1,520 linear meters of quayside, a draft of 18 meters, and 70 hectares of reclaimed land. Its capacity is expected to reach 3.5 million containers by 2030. The infrastructure required an investment of approximately 5 billion dirhams. Its operation and maintenance were entrusted, for a period of 25 years, to the group comprising Marsa Maroc and Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), a subsidiary of the MSC group, the world’s leading container shipping company.
A second container terminal, named “West,” is scheduled to open in April 2027. Awarded to a consortium formed by Marsa Maroc and CMA CGM, it represents an investment of approximately 3 billion dirhams. With 900 linear meters of quayside and 38 hectares of reclaimed land, it will offer a capacity of 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Ultimately, the two terminals will bring the port’s total announced capacity to 5.3 million containers.
Additional port and energy facilities.
Beyond container traffic, Nador West Med will host several facilities designed to diversify its activities. The complex includes a roll-on/roll-off terminal, delivered in September 2026, with a capacity of 400,000 units. A bulk terminal, designed for 7 million tonnes, is due to be delivered in June 2027, while a general cargo terminal, with a capacity of 3 million tonnes, is expected to enter service in December 2028.
The project also includes an energy hub comprising a liquefied natural gas terminal and a hydrocarbon terminal. The latter, with a capacity of 25 million tonnes and three 125-meter berths, is expected to be operational in April 2027.
34,000 direct and indirect jobs expected.
The industrial dimension constitutes another aspect of the project. The complex houses a 700-hectare industrial and logistics platform, associated with private investments of 12 billion dirhams. Nador West Med is expected to create 14,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs in the short term. In accordance with Royal Directives, training programs tailored to the needs of the new activities will also be implemented to promote the professional integration of young people. The development of the complex is also accompanied by projects aimed at improving its accessibility. A 49-kilometer rail link will connect Selouane to Nador West Med, while a 105-kilometer highway will provide a connection from Guercif.
With the commissioning of its first terminal, Nador West Med is beginning to take its place within the national port system, complementing Tanger Med. The development of this infrastructure reflects the ambition of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to strengthen Morocco’s logistics competitiveness, attract new industrial investments, and ensure that the regions benefit from the economic spin-offs of major port projects.
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