Morocco to open $5.6 billion port hosting its first liquefied natural gas terminal

Morocco is set to bring its second Mediterranean deepwater port, Nador West Med, into operation in the fourth quarter of this year, a move aimed at building on the global success of Tanger Med, currently the largest port in both the Mediterranean and Africa.

The $5.6 billion port project will begin operations with an annual capacity of 5 million containers, according to Reuters. There are also plans to scale up to 12 million containers as demand grows, the royal palace said in a statement following a meeting chaired by King Mohammed VI.

Nador West Med has been developed as a major multi-purpose maritime hub. The complex features 5.4 kilometres of breakwaters, 4 kilometres of quays, and four power stations, underscoring Morocco’s ambition to position the port as a key gateway for regional and international trade.

A central element of the project is energy infrastructure. The port has been designed to host Morocco’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, with an annual handling capacity of 5 billion cubic metres, alongside a dedicated hydrocarbons terminal. These facilities are expected to strengthen the country’s energy security and support industrial growth.

Beyond shipping and energy, the project includes 700 hectares allocated for industrial and logistics activities. According to the palace, the zone has already attracted 20 billion dirhams in private investment, signalling strong interest from manufacturers and logistics operators seeking access to global markets.

Once fully operational, Nador West Med is expected to enhance Morocco’s role as a regional trade, energy, and logistics hub, complementing Tanger Med and reinforcing the country’s position along major Mediterranean and transcontinental shipping routes.