In 2025, Morocco is executing a bold, two-pronged strategy to cement its role as a premier logistics gateway between Europe and Africa. By simultaneously expanding its domestic port infrastructure and forging strategic international alliances, the country is not just increasing capacity but also weaving itself more deeply into the fabric of global maritime trade networks.
The recent completion of a major terminal expansion at Tanger Med and a landmark cross-border investment by national operator Marsa Maroc into Spain exemplify this coordinated push to capitalize on Morocco’s pivotal location at the Strait of Gibraltar.
Expanding the Home Base: APM Terminals’ Mega-Investment at Tanger Med
A cornerstone of Morocco’s infrastructure drive is the enhancement of Tanger Med, already one of Africa’s busiest ports. In December 2024, APM Terminals completed the final phase of a massive, three-year expansion project at its MedPort Tangier facility.
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Scale of Growth: The project added 2 million TEUs of annual capacity, bringing the terminal’s total throughput to an impressive 5.2 million TEUs. Its berth now stretches for two kilometers, ready to accommodate the world’s largest vessels.
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Strategic Function: This expansion is strategically timed to serve as a critical hub for the Gemini Cooperation, the new operational alliance between shipping giants Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd on East-West trade routes, set to launch in February 2025. This cements Tanger Med’s role as a backbone for major global shipping networks.
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Efficiency and Sustainability: The terminal’s investment is not only in size but also in smart technology. It employs an auto mooring system, digital berth planning, and uses shore power to reduce vessel emissions. Its efficiency is world-class, recently ranked by the World Bank and S&P Global as the 4th most efficient container terminal globally.
Building Bridges: Marsa Maroc’s Strategic Foray into Spain
Parallel to physical expansion, Morocco is strengthening its logistic corridors through strategic equity partnerships. In a significant move, the national port operator Marsa Maroc acquired a 45% stake in Spanish port operator Boluda Maritime Terminals (BMT) for approximately €80 million ($94 million) in late 2025.
This deal is strategically significant for several reasons:
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Geographic Reach: BMT operates nine maritime terminals at key locations across the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands, including Las Palmas, Seville, Cádiz, and Santander. In 2024, these terminals handled over 1 million TEUs, primarily serving vital short-sea routes.
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Deepening the Morocco-Spain Axis: The acquisition establishes Marsa Maroc’s presence “on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar”. It aims to create synergies and improve fluidity for Euro-Maghrebian supply chains, directly supporting the flow of goods where nearly 65% of Morocco’s external trade is with the European Union.
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Strategic Alignment: This partnership aligns perfectly with Marsa Maroc’s “Marsa 2030” plan to become a regional reference and follows a separate joint venture with Boluda for towage services at the new Nador West Med port.
The Broader Canvas: Morocco’s National Port Strategy
These two developments are not isolated events but key components of Morocco’s ambitious, long-term vision for its maritime sector. The country is implementing a $7.5 billion National Port Strategy aimed at 2030, targeting the upgrade and expansion of its network of 27 ports.
Two new deep-water port projects are central to this vision:
| Project | Location | Key Details & Capacity | Strategic Focus & Partners | Target Operational Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nador West Med | Mediterranean Coast | Initial capacity of 1.8M TEU, expandable to 5.5M TEU. Includes an 800ha industrial zone & Morocco’s first LNG terminal. | Transshipment hub to compete with Algeciras & Valencia. Marsa Maroc/CMA Terminals and MSC’s TiL have terminal concessions. | End of 2026 |
| Dakhla Atlantic Port | Southern Atlantic Coast | $1.6-1.7bn investment; will be Morocco’s deepest port at 23 meters. | Gateway for green hydrogen exports & trade with Sahel Africa. Part of Morocco’s “Atlantic Initiative”. | 2028-2030 |
Analysis: Why This Two-Pronged Strategy Matters
Morocco’s approach reveals a sophisticated understanding of modern logistics. The domestic expansions (like Tanger Med) ensure it has the state-of-the-art, high-capacity infrastructure needed to attract and service major global shipping alliances.
Concurrently, the international partnerships (like Marsa Maroc-Boluda) secure control and influence over the critical feeder networks and logistics corridors that connect this infrastructure to end markets. This combination moves Morocco beyond being a mere port call to becoming an integrated logistics platform.
Furthermore, the focus on new ports like Nador West Med and Dakhla Atlantic serves dual purposes: diversifying geographic risk and tapping into specific future growth markets, such as transshipment, green energy exports, and intra-African trade.
Future Outlook
The momentum is set to continue. The Dakhla Atlantic Port is poised to become a cornerstone for regional economic development and a hub for the emerging green hydrogen economy, with $32 billion worth of related projects already selected by the government.
As these new ports near completion and begin operations later this decade, Morocco’s position on the world maritime map will be further elevated. The successful integration of its expanded physical assets with its growing network of international partnerships will determine its ultimate success in becoming an indispensable logistics nexus connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
I hope this refined article provides a comprehensive overview of Morocco’s current port strategy. If you would like to focus more deeply on the economic impact of a specific project, such as the green hydrogen plans in Dakhla, I can provide further details on that.