Morocco’s government plans to launch two deep-water ports

The Moroccan government is preparing to launch two major deep-water ports as part of an ambitious strategy to strengthen its maritime and industrial footprint and replicate the success of Tanger Med, Africa’s largest port, the Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka told Reuters on December 9. 

Baraka added that the country will inaugurate a new Mediterranean port next year, followed by another Atlantic port in 2028.

Baraka confirmed that the Nador West Med port is scheduled to begin operations in H2 2026. The complex will host industrial activities across 800 hectares, with plans to expand to 5,000 hectares, surpassing the industrial zones around Tanger Med. The port will also feature Morocco’s first LNG terminal (a floating storage and regasification unit) that will connect to industrial centres in the northwest. The terminal will support Morocco’s push to scale gas and renewable energy and reduce reliance on coal.

Further south on the Atlantic coast, Morocco is constructing a $1bn port in Dakhla, located in the Western Sahara region administered by Morocco. The port will be surrounded by 1,600 hectares of industrial zones and 5,200 hectares of irrigated agricultural land using desalinated water. With a depth of 23 metres, Baraka said it will be the deepest port in the country and will attract investment in heavy industries linked to raw materials from the Sahel.

Officials are promoting Dakhla as a global trade gateway for landlocked Sahel nations. Both new ports will include dedicated terminals for green hydrogen exports once production begins. They will become Morocco’s third and fourth deep-water ports after Tanger Med and Jorf Lasfar.

Baraka added that Morocco is also studying a potential new Atlantic port in Tan-Tan in partnership with green-hydrogen investors.