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CMA CGM, a major global player in logistics and maritime solutions, has joined forces with Marsa Maroc, Morocco’s national leader in port management, to operate and equip a significant part of the Nador West Med container terminal. This strategic 25-year agreement assigns 49% control to CMA CGM and 51% to Marsa Maroc, covering a 750-meter quay and a 35-hectare yard within the terminal, positioning it as a significant hub in the Mediterranean.
The project, demanding a $280 million investment, aims to handle 1.2 million TEUs annually, enhancing Morocco’s prominence in global logistics. Situated strategically near Gibraltar in the Bay of Betoya, the Nador West Med terminal boasts an 18-meter draught, allowing it to accommodate the world’s largest container ships. The deal aligns with Morocco’s aspirations of becoming a leading logistics and port hub, tapping into the burgeoning sector of synthetic fuels like e-methane and e-methanol, essential for new dual-fuel vessels, a priority for CMA CGM’s greener fleet.
This investment includes the installation of eight new transshipment cranes—up from six—and an expansion to 24 electric rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs), a leap from the current 15, aiming for unparalleled productivity and operational efficiency. Rodolphe Saadé, CMA CGM’s Chairman and CEO, commented on Morocco’s growth potential in alternative energies and logistics, noting that this joint venture supports the nation’s ambition to solidify its role as a Mediterranean maritime and logistics nexus.
Having been present in Morocco since 1983, CMA CGM’s footprint extends beyond the Nador West Med project. The company currently operates through the Eurogate Tangiers and Casablanca container terminals via its Terminal Link subsidiary, SOMAPORT. Across Morocco’s major ports—Casablanca, Agadir, and Tanger Med—CMA CGM’s 31 maritime services facilitate direct trade connections with 81 global ports, underscoring its role in Morocco’s supply chain. Additionally, its subsidiary, CEVA Logistics, offers end-to-end supply chain solutions, strengthening the group’s logistics network in Morocco.
CMA CGM’s Moroccan operations encompass around 1,300 employees, reinforcing its role in Morocco’s trade landscape. The group’s investments support Morocco’s vision of becoming a Mediterranean energy hub, leveraging its green hydrogen sector. Nador West Med, ideally positioned, stands to be a key refueling site for the Mediterranean’s emerging fleet of dual-fuel ships.
Marsa Maroc, the majority stakeholder, sees this joint venture as a catalyst for advancing Morocco’s maritime influence. By boosting infrastructure and adapting to alternative fuel demands, Nador West Med aligns with Morocco’s broader environmental and economic goals.
This long-term partnership underscores CMA CGM’s commitment to strengthening Moroccan trade, logistics, and energy sectors, enhancing Morocco’s role as a critical bridge between continents.
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