King Mohammed VI on Thursday inaugurated and visited several major projects carried out as part of the restructuring and development of the Casablanca Port Complex, aimed at strengthening the economic and tourism appeal of the metropolis.

The projects are designed to consolidate Casablanca’s position as a leading economic and financial hub on the continent, fully open to the international sphere.

Mobilising investments of around $485 million, the projects include the development of a fishing port, the construction of a new shipyard, the development of a cruise terminal, and the construction of an administrative complex bringing together all stakeholders of the Port of Casablanca.

Undertaken by the National Ports Agency, these projects reflect the constant will of the King to equip the Kingdom’s economic capital with modern, internationally compliant infrastructure, capable of revitalising the metropolis and meeting the legitimate aspirations of its inhabitants.

The Sovereign inaugurated the new fishing port ($116 million), expected to improve safety, livelihoods, and working conditions for the city’s fishermen, create a better environment for seafood marketing, organise the coastal and artisanal fishing sector, and develop related activities.

The port, designed to accommodate over 260 artisanal boats and nearly 100 coastal vessels, is equipped with integrated infrastructure for the reception and marketing of fish.

It includes a next-generation fish market near the landing sites, a standardised container management unit, three ice production units, premises for shipowners, wholesalers, and boatmen, as well as a seafarers’ hostel.

The King then visited the new shipyard at the Port of Casablanca, which aims to restructure and develop Morocco’s shipbuilding and repair sector, attract more investment, meet national and international demand, and strengthen the Kingdom’s position on the global market.

With an investment of around $242 million, this project involved the construction of a dry dock measuring 240 m long, 40 m wide, and 8.10 m deep, capable of accommodating ships up to 220 m long and 32 m wide; the installation of a 150 m x 28 m lifting platform with a capacity of 9,700 tons; and a 60 m long, 13 m wide, and 8.7 m deep dock equipped with a 450-ton strap lift.

The project also included the development of 21 hectares of embankments and 660 m of quays, in line with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s vision for a strong national naval industry.

The Sovereign also inaugurated the new cruise terminal at the port of Casablanca ($70 million), an international-standard facility aimed at enhancing the city’s attractiveness and boosting the tourism sector, particularly cruise tourism.

With an annual capacity of 450,000 passengers, the terminal can accommodate ships up to 350 m long and 45 m wide, with a depth of 9 m.

It includes a ferry terminal, a landing stage with a total length of approximately 650 m, three gangways (one fixed and two mobile), and a parking area with capacity for 44 coaches.

As for the new administrative complex ($48 million), which brings together all stakeholders in the port of Casablanca, it aims to optimise port space by consolidating services previously scattered across the port—such as the port authority, customs, district, operators, consignees, and handlers—while improving user services and ensuring better integration with the city.

These large-scale projects, which modernise and diversify the Casablanca port complex, reinforce Morocco’s momentum under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

They complement landmark developments such as the Tanger-Med container port and the future ports of Nador West-Med and Dakhla Atlantique.

The initiatives aim to elevate Casablanca to a world-class tourist destination, strengthen its role in business and cruise tourism, and support the economic, urban, and demographic growth of the entire region.