In a major move to expand Morocco’s position as a vital player in global trade and logistics, the CMA CGM Group, an international leader in maritime, land, air, and logistics solutions, has signed a 25-year joint venture agreement with Marsa Maroc, Morocco’s foremost port terminal operator.
This strategic partnership will oversee the development and operation of a significant section of the Nador West Med container terminal. Together, CMA CGM and Marsa Maroc will equip and operate a 750-meter quay section along with a 35-hectare container yard at Nador West Med.
Under the agreement, CMA CGM holds a 49% stake while Marsa Maroc maintains a majority 51% share. Their joint efforts will control 50% of the Nador West Med container terminal, leveraging a maximum quay depth of 18 meters to accommodate the largest container vessels. For CMA CGM, this venture extends its existing Moroccan presence across Eurogate Tangiers and the Casablanca terminals, as it solidifies its role as a central player in the nation’s growing logistics network.
$280 Million Investment to Enhance Productivity and Capacity
The CMA CGM-Marsa Maroc partnership includes a $280 million investment to develop Nador West Med with state-of-the-art infrastructure aimed at optimizing service quality and productivity. With an anticipated annual capacity of 1.2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), the terminal will initially feature six transshipment cranes, expanding to eight, along with 15 electric rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs), eventually increasing to 24. This infrastructure will allow the terminal to manage the world’s largest container vessels, setting new standards in the Western Mediterranean.
Nador West Med’s location in the Gibraltar Strait’s Bay of Betoya positions it ideally for increased transshipment activity, serving as a gateway to regional trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Furthermore, the port’s access to Morocco’s emerging green hydrogen sector primes it to become a bunkering hub for synthetic fuels such as e-methane and e-methanol, essential for powering CMA CGM’s future fleet of dual-fuel LNG and methanol vessels.
Rodolphe Saadé Emphasizes Morocco’s Strategic Potential
CMA CGM Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé emphasized Morocco’s strategic importance as a logistics and energy hub in the Mediterranean. “Morocco is positioning itself as a strategic logistics and port hub with strong growth potential. The partnership we are entering into with Marsa Maroc marks a key step for the CMA CGM Group, strengthening our presence through the Nador West Med container terminal. Our ambition is to support the country’s development, particularly in the forward-looking sectors of logistics and alternative energies,” Saadé stated.
CMA CGM’s Longstanding Presence in Morocco
CMA CGM’s footprint in Morocco dates back to 1983. The company’s robust network connects Moroccan ports with global destinations, facilitating trade between Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean. With 31 maritime services from ports in Agadir, Casablanca, and Tanger Med, CMA CGM reaches 81 ports globally, providing end-to-end supply chain solutions via its subsidiary CEVA Logistics.
Through Terminal Link, CMA CGM also holds a 100% stake in the SOMAPORT terminal in Casablanca and a 40% interest in Eurogate Tangiers. Additionally, CMA CGM’s La Méridionale subsidiary operates a Marseille-Tanger Med ferry service, further bolstering connectivity between Morocco and Europe.
As this project takes shape, Nador West Med’s unique positioning will not only enhance Morocco’s maritime capabilities but also solidify its role as a bunkering center for green fuels, aligning with CMA CGM’s commitment to a sustainable maritime future. This investment and partnership reflect the growing trend of incorporating alternative energies into port operations, advancing Morocco’s role in decarbonizing maritime transport.
About Marsa Maroc
Marsa Maroc is Morocco’s national leader in port terminal management and operations, responsible for handling various types of cargo across the country’s major ports. Established to strengthen Morocco’s maritime trade, the company plays a critical role in streamlining supply chains and facilitating import-export activities that support the nation’s economy. Marsa Maroc’s portfolio spans a wide range of services, including container, bulk, and general cargo handling, enabling efficient port operations and seamless logistics solutions.
The company has been instrumental in positioning Morocco as a strategic hub in the Mediterranean, bridging trade routes between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. With its commitment to innovation, Marsa Maroc continuously invests in infrastructure, ensuring its terminals operate at the highest standards of efficiency and reliability.
About Nador West Med
Nador West Med is a state-of-the-art container terminal located on the Oued Kert estuary in the Bay of Betoya, near the strategic Gibraltar Strait. Developed as part of Morocco’s vision to expand its logistics capabilities, Nador West Med offers a deep-water port with an 18-meter draught, capable of accommodating some of the world’s largest vessels. Its prime location provides critical access to key Mediterranean trade routes, making it a significant hub for transshipment activities and global logistics.
The terminal’s strategic positioning also aligns with Morocco’s push for green energy, leveraging its proximity to renewable energy sources to become a future bunkering hub for synthetic fuels like e-methane and e-methanol. As a new cornerstone of the Western Mediterranean’s maritime infrastructure, Nador West Med is set to play a pivotal role in facilitating regional trade and supporting sustainable maritime practices.
About CMA CGM Group
The CMA CGM Group, led by Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé, operates one of the world’s largest shipping fleets, serving over 420 ports across five continents. In 2022, the Group transported 21.7 million TEU containers and continues to innovate in logistics, shipping, and air freight services through its subsidiaries, including CEVA Logistics and CMA CGM AIR CARGO. Committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050, CMA CGM is pioneering the use of alternative fuels and sustainable logistics solutions.
Source CMA CGM Group