More than two decades after the initial impetus was given to the Tangier-Med project, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has launched the Nador West project to consolidate Morocco’s position in international trade and to make key infrastructure, a driver of economic development, job creation and regional development.
The working session, chaired on Wednesday 28 October 2026 by King Mohammed VI at the Royal Palace in Rabat and devoted to Nador West Med and Tangier Med 3, put this dynamic into perspective, highlighting that its scope extends beyond the mere expansion of port capacity.
It places at the heart of this strategy the economic and social benefits of major projects, their contribution to the development of the provinces concerned and the opportunities they offer to local communities.
The first terminal at the Port of Nador West Med is set to come into service “in the coming days” and work on Tanger Med 3 has now begun.
These port infrastructure projects are personally overseen by King Mohammed VI, with the aim of raising the kingdom’s profile on the global map of trade flows.
Don’t miss this: The King of Morocco chairs a Cabinet meeting devoted to the adoption of the Finance Act 2027
Expanded capacity
The scale of the investment and the projected capacity illustrate the magnitude of this transformation. Some 5,4 billion euros of public and private investment has been mobilised for Nador West Med. Its first container terminal, which is due to come into service shortly, will eventually offer a capacity of 3.5 million containers.
A second terminal, with a capacity of 1.8 million containers, is expected to open in April 2027. Alongside this commercial focus is a forward-looking energy dimension. The hydrocarbon storage facilities and the liquefied natural gas terminal, with a processing capacity of up to 5 billion cubic metres per year, are set to contribute to strengthening the Kingdom’s energy security.
Stay up-to-date with Hungary Weekly Briefing: subscribe on Substack!
Building on this momentum, Tanger Med 3 represents an investment of 8 billion dirhams and is set to provide an additional capacity of 4.5 million containers per year.
Located to the west of Tangier Med 2, the new port will comprise 1,200 metres of quays. A concession agreement has been signed with Maersk-APM to develop the new container terminal.
Ultimately, the capacity of the Tanger Med complex could reach 20 million containers, reinforcing Morocco’s ambition to rank among the world’s top ten ports.
However, the significance of these investments cannot be measured solely in terms of the infrastructure built, the capacity deployed or the volumes of goods handled. It is also measured by their ability to bring about lasting change in local areas, create jobs, develop skills and generate new new opportunities for local communities.
Featured image: Pixabay
