King Mohammed VI inaugurated four major projects at the Casablanca Port Complex, a MAD 5 billion program intended to modernize Morocco’s busiest port.
The investment covers a new fishing port, a shipyard, a cruise terminal and a consolidated administrative complex. The fishing port, with an allocation of MAD 1.2 billion, is designed to host more than 260 artisanal boats and nearly 100 coastal vessels. It includes a landing and marketing zone with a fish hall composed of 15 units, a container handling unit, three ice plants, workspace for shipowners and wholesalers, and a seamen’s home.
“The new fishing port is a strategic lever to promote the fisheries sector,” said Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries.
The shipyard, valued at MAD 2.5 billion, is intended for ship construction and repair for both the domestic fleet and international demand. It features a 240 m × 40 m dry dock with 8.1 m depth, a lifting platform of 150 m × 28 m with a 9,700 t capacity, and a 60 m × 13 m dock with 8.7 m depth and a 450 t slings hoist.
Landside infrastructure covers 21 ha of yards and 660 m of outfitting quays. The cruise terminal, costing MAD 720 million, has capacity for 450,000 passengers per year and can host ships up to 350 m length and 45 m beam with a 9 m draft.
The project includes a maritime station, a 650 m disembarkation quay, three boarding bridges—one fixed and two mobile—and a parking lot for 44 coaches.
The administrative complex, budgeted at MAD 500 million, brings together port users and public services such as the port authority, customs, district services, shipping agents and stevedores.
According to the authorities, the consolidation is meant to streamline operations, free yard space and improve integration with the city. “These projects consolidate Morocco’s role as a gateway between Europe and Africa,” said Thomas Reilly, former UK ambassador to Morocco.
The program is positioned within Morocco’s broader port strategy, which includes Tanger Med, as well as planned hubs at Nador West-Med and Dakhla Atlantique.
