Thanks to its strategic position in the Mediterranean, Nador West Med, designed to accommodate the largest ships with a draft of 18 meters, marks a decisive step forward. This mega-project, now in the maturation phase, intends to transform Morocco’s port landscape. The details.
Tanger Med has established itself as an international benchmark in port logistics, the result of a thoughtful strategy and ambitious investments. Its score of 159.6 points in the 2024 Container Port Performance Index reflects a major breakthrough that highlights Morocco’s strategic choices. If this model inspires, it is towards Nador West Med that eyes are now turning.
This large-scale project, designed to strengthen the national port network, marks a decisive step forward in Morocco’s ambition to become a regional logistics hub. During a gathering in Nador, Mohamed Jamal Benjelloun, general director of the Nador West Med Company, presented the strategic axes of a mega-project designed as an engine of economic and social growth. The project is progressing at a sustained pace, with port infrastructure finalized, according to port management, thus laying the foundations of an integrated regional economy.
Concretely, the project is structured around three major axes. First, a deep-water port equipped to accommodate some of the largest ships in the world. The Director General revealed that the new port stands out for having the deepest docks in Morocco, with depths reaching 18 meters for container docks, thus making it possible to accommodate the largest ships in the world, measuring up to 400 meters long and carry up to 24,000 containers. He also mentioned that the port will have docks for bulk cargo with a depth of 20 meters, and energy stations with an annual capacity of 25 million tons.
This infrastructure is designed to become an essential logistics center, integrating facilities to increase the efficiency of commercial exchanges. Then, an 800-hectare industrial zone dedicated to high value-added activities, followed by a free zone designed to attract international investors. These three components are integrated into a global vision, making Nador West Med a key player in regional maritime trade.
The port, operational in mid-2026
The first phase of operation, scheduled for mid-2026, will mark a crucial milestone with the arrival of the first ship. It is based on close coordination between local and international actors, and includes the creation of an integrated free zone.
This system aims to strengthen the economic attractiveness of Nador while meeting the expectations of investors. The partnerships already established illustrate the momentum around this project. A Chinese company has chosen Nador for its first investment outside Chinese soil, underscoring the port’s growing appeal. Beyond infrastructure, the director general insisted on the need for parallel social progress.
“Investors look first at infrastructure, but they also demand progress in the areas of housing, health and education,” he recalled.
This integrated approach reflects a desire to make Nador a model of Mediterranean excellence. The expected economic and social impact is considerable. In addition to the creation of direct and indirect jobs, initiatives such as specialized training programs in port and logistics professions strengthen local capacities. These efforts are designed to respond to the challenges of international trade while promoting balanced development. Nador West Med is thus part of a visionary royal strategy which aims to position Morocco as a key player in global maritime trade.
With its modern infrastructure and its integration into international trade flows, this project illustrates a national ambition driven by informed strategic choices. The free and industrial zones adjacent to the port offer unique opportunities for international investors. Designed to accommodate activities with high added value, they promote the upgrading of production chains and boost trade. So many elements that place Nador West Med at the heart of Morocco’s economic and logistical ambitions.
Nador places itself on the radar of foreign investors
One of the indicators of success of the Nador West Med mega-project lies in its ability to attract foreign investors. Several strategic partnerships demonstrate the growing interest in this logistics hub, assures the port general director.
Among them, a major agreement with a Chinese company, the first investment outside Chinese soil in favor of the attractiveness of Nador.
As part of the national roadmap on liquefied gas, the port is positioned as an essential platform for this strategic resource. Its privileged location and adapted infrastructure strengthen Morocco’s industrial competitiveness, while demonstrating its commitment to the energy transition.
Ayoub Ibnoulfassih / ECO Inspirations
