Morocco plans two new deep water Ports to boost trade

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At a Glance

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• Morocco will develop two deepwater ports at Nador West Med and Dakhla to expand trade capacity.
• The projects aim to support manufacturing, energy supply and access to European and African markets.
• Officials see the ports as key to easing pressure on existing hubs and attracting new investment.

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Morocco is moving ahead with a major expansion of its port network, pushing to build two deepwater facilities on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts as it looks to deepen its role in regional and global trade. 

Officials see the projects as an extension of policies that have turned ports into engines of growth, supporting manufacturing, energy supply and exports while tightening links between Europe, Africa and the Atlantic Basin. 

The plan builds on the success of Tanger Med, Africa’s largest port, which has helped anchor Morocco’s industrial base and made the country a key stop along major shipping routes. 

Government planners say adding capacity in the north and south will ease pressure on existing hubs, attract new investment and give exporters more direct access to foreign markets. 

The push also aligns with shifts in global supply chains, as companies favor shorter routes, steadier energy supply and production bases closer to end markets.

Nador west med expands mediterranean reach 

On the Mediterranean coast, work is underway on Nador West Med, a deepwater port expected to begin operations in the second half of 2026, according to Equipment and Water Minister Nizar Baraka. 

The project will open with about 800 hectares of industrial land and could expand to roughly 5,000 hectares, exceeding the industrial footprint around Tanger Med.

Officials say the site is designed to draw manufacturers serving European and African customers. 

Nador West Med will also house Morocco’s first liquefied natural gas terminal, centered on a floating storage and regasification unit.

A planned pipeline will link the terminal to industrial zones in the northwest as Morocco seeks to cut coal use and broaden its energy mix.

Dakhla port targets Atlantic and Sahel trade 

Further south, Morocco is investing roughly $1 billion in a deepwater port at Dakhla, in Western Sahara.

The Atlantic-facing facility is expected to open in 2028 and will be the deepest port in the country, with a planned depth of 23 meters. 

Designed for bulk cargo and heavy industry, Dakhla is intended to give Sahel countries a maritime outlet for raw materials and finished goods.

The project includes 1,600 hectares for industry and more than 5,000 hectares of farmland supported by desalinated water. 

Together, the two ports are set to complement established hubs such as Tanger Med and Jorf Lasfar, tightening Morocco’s links to global shipping lanes and reinforcing its standing as one of Africa’s most connected trading economies.