King Mohammed VI on Thursday inaugurated and visited several large-scale projects at the Casablanca port complex, part of a redevelopment program aimed at strengthening the economic and tourism appeal of Morocco’s commercial capital.
The initiatives, with a total investment of 5 billion dirhams ($500 million), include the construction of a new fishing port, a ship repair yard, a cruise terminal and an integrated administrative complex bringing together all port stakeholders.
Officials said the projects reflect the king’s vision to equip Casablanca with modern infrastructure that meets international standards, positioning the city as a leading financial and economic hub open to global markets.
The newly inaugurated fishing port, built at a cost of 1.2 billion dirhams, is designed to host more than 260 artisanal fishing boats and about 100 coastal vessels.
It features a next-generation fish market near unloading areas, a plastic crate management unit, three ice plants, wholesale fish shops and a seafarers’ center.
Authorities said the facility will improve safety, working conditions and the marketing of seafood products while better organizing the coastal and traditional fishing sectors.
The king also visited the new ship repair yard, a 2.5 billion dirham investment aimed at revitalizing Morocco’s shipbuilding and repair industry.
The facility includes a 240-meter dry dock, a lifting platform with a capacity of 9,700 tons, and berthing areas totaling 660 meters.
Covering 21 hectares of reclaimed land, the project is designed to meet national demand while attracting foreign clients and boosting Morocco’s competitiveness in the global maritime market.
At the same event, King Mohammed VI inaugurated the new cruise terminal, built for 720 million dirhams.
With a capacity of 450,000 passengers annually, the terminal can accommodate cruise ships up to 350 meters long.
The facility includes a 650-meter berth, boarding bridges and parking for 44 buses, reinforcing Casablanca’s ambitions in tourism and cruise travel.
The new administrative complex, costing 500 million dirhams, centralizes port-related services previously scattered across the site, including customs, port authority offices and administrative services.
Officials said the consolidation is expected to streamline operations, improve service delivery and enhance the port’s integration into its urban surroundings.
These upgrades, overseen by the National Ports Agency, are part of Morocco’s broader port modernization strategy, which has already reshaped the national landscape through the Tanger Med hub.
The Casablanca projects aim to diversify port activities, support economic and demographic growth, and strengthen the city’s position as both a business and tourism destination.
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