King Mohammed VI on Thursday inaugurated and visited several large-scale projects that are part of the restructuring program of the Casablanca Port Complex, with a total investment estimated at five billion dirhams (DH). According to the National Ports Agency (ANP), these investments reflect the commitment to equipping the Kingdom’s economic capital with port infrastructure that meets international standards and supports Casablanca’s positioning as a major economic and financial hub on the continent, open to the world.
The King inaugurated the new fishing port, funded with 1.2 billion dirhams. According to the official statement, this facility is intended to “improve safety and the living and working conditions of fishermen,” while also “creating an environment conducive to the development of seafood products and the organization of coastal and artisanal fishing.” The site can accommodate over 260 artisanal boats and nearly 100 coastal fishing vessels, and includes a modern auction hall, three ice factories, facilities for shipowners and fish wholesalers, as well as a seafarers’ center.
The King then visited the shipyard at the port, with an allocated investment of 2.5 billion dirhams. This shipbuilding and repair complex features a dry dock measuring 240 meters in length, 40 meters in width, and 8.1 meters deep, capable of handling vessels up to 220 meters long. The facility also includes a 9,700-ton lifting platform, a dock equipped with a 450-ton hoist, 21 hectares of open yard space, and 660 meters of quays. According to the official statement, the shipyard is expected to “meet both national demand and part of international demand” and to “strengthen Morocco’s presence in the global shipbuilding industry.”
The King also inaugurated a cruise terminal costing 720 million dirhams, with an annual capacity to accommodate 450,000 passengers. The facility is capable of receiving ships up to 350 meters long and 45 meters wide. It includes a passenger terminal, a 650-meter quay, three gangways (two of which are mobile), and a parking area for 44 coaches. According to the official communication, this terminal is intended to “support the growth of cruise tourism and enhance the appeal of the metropolis.”
The program is rounded out by a 500 million dirham administrative complex, which brings together the port authority, customs, shipping agents, and various operators. The National Ports Agency (ANP) notes that the goal is “to improve service for port users and to better integrate the port area into its urban surroundings.”
According to the authorities, these projects contribute to “profoundly reshaping the national port landscape,” in line with the development trajectory set by Tanger Med and future projects like Nador West-Med and Dakhla Atlantique. They aim to “establish Casablanca as a premier tourist destination and support the region’s economic, urban, and demographic development.”