Summary:

On 28 October 2026, King Mohammed VI chaired a working session in Rabat to review progress on the Nador West Med and Tanger Med 3 port projects. Nador West Med has attracted approximately MAD 54 billion in public and private investment, with its first container terminal expected to begin operations shortly and a second scheduled for April 2027. 

The complex will also include an LNG terminal with an annual processing capacity of up to 5 billion cubic meters, alongside hydrocarbon storage facilities. Meanwhile, Tanger Med 3, backed by an investment of MAD 8 billion, is expected to add 4.5 million containers to the port complex’s annual handling capacity. 

According to estimates cited in media reports, Nador West Med could generate around 14,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs in the short term. The King also called for the projects to contribute to local development and improve living conditions in surrounding provinces. 

Outlook: 

The launch of Nador West Med and the expansion of Tanger Med will increase Morocco’s available port capacity, although the economic impact of the projects remains to be seen. The planned LNG terminal also adds an energy component to Nador West Med, but its contribution to domestic supply will depend on its completion and operationalization. 

The government has also linked the projects to employment and regional development, though the extent to which surrounding communities benefit remains unclear. The coming months will provide a clearer picture of the pace of operations at Nador West Med and the progress of the Tanger Med 3 expansion. 

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