Nador West Med port expands crane fleet to 5 as 2026 launch approaches

MOROCCO – The eastern container terminal at the Moroccan port of Nador West Med has taken delivery of a new batch of two Ship-to-Shore (STS) quay cranes, bringing the total number of STS cranes installed at the terminal to five, as the facility prepares for its scheduled operational launch in the last quarter of 2026.

These cranes, designed to handle containers between ships and the quay, mark a significant step in the terminal’s equipment rollout.

At the same time, the platform is continuing to deploy electric rubber-tired gantries (eRTGs) for yard operations. This equipment will facilitate the movement of containers between stacking areas, internal transport vehicles, and receiving and delivery areas.

This new delivery follows the end-of-June receipt of an initial batch of three STS gantry cranes. In total, the terminal is expected to be equipped with eight STS gantry cranes, 24 road yard cranes (RTGs), and four mobile cranes, in line with the equipment plan for its commissioning.

Strategic Equipment Rollout and Capacity Expansion

Recent deliveries have increased the site’s total to five ship-to-shore cranes, with plans to eventually house a fleet of eight, along with numerous electric yard gantries. This strategic equipment rollout aims to increase the facility’s annual cargo capacity from 700,000 to over 3 million units.

According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), this should increase the annual container-handling capacity from 700,000 to over 3 million TEUs. Modernizing logistics infrastructure positions the port to become a major hub for international trade and container handling in the region.

Morocco’s 2030 Maritime Strategy

Nador West Med is among the targets of the Moroccan port strategy for 2030. This strategy plans to increase national capacity to 390 million tonnes, for an annual traffic of 300 million tonnes, compared to 300 million tonnes of capacity and 261 million tonnes of traffic recorded in 2025.

Economic Impact

This development reflects a broader national commitment to improving port infrastructure and overall economic throughput. The Nador West Med project is a significant investment in Morocco’s maritime infrastructure and in its ability to compete in global trade.

Lastly, this development reflects a broader national commitment to improving port infrastructure and overall economic throughput, with Morocco remaining prepared to pursue further port developments to sustain long-term growth in the maritime sector and to achieve its 2030 strategic objectives.

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