Photo credits @ CMA CGM

CMA CGM expands in Morocco with new terminal partnership

CMA CGM Group is strengthening its presence in Morocco through a new joint venture with Marsa Maroc to operate half of the Nador West Med container terminal. The 25-year agreement will see the two companies invest $280 million to equip and manage a key section of the terminal, which aims to handle an annual capacity of 1.2 million TEUs.

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CMA CGM Group has partnered with Marsa Maroc, Morocco’s national port terminal management company, in a joint venture to manage and equip half of the Nador West Med container terminal. The project involves a 25-year sub-concession to operate 750 metres of quay and a 35-hectare yard.

The joint venture gives Marsa Maroc a 51% stake and CMA CGM a 49% share. The companies aim to reach an annual handling capacity of 1.2 million TEUs, supported by an investment of $280 million. The terminal will be equipped to handle large container ships with a maximum draught of 18 metres.

Plans include installing eight transshipment cranes and 24 electric rubber-tired gantries (RTGs), up from the current six cranes and 15 RTGs.

Strategically located in the Gibraltar zone, the Nador West Med port sits on the Bay of Betoya, near the Oued Kert estuary. CMA CGM has indicated that the port’s position will complement its existing terminal operations in the Western Mediterranean.

As part of Morocco’s green energy initiatives, the Nador West Med terminal is also set to serve as a bunkering hub for synthetic fuels, including e-methane and e-methanol, which will power CMA CGM’s future dual-fuel vessels.

“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,” said Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of CMA CGM Group.

Established in Morocco since 1983, CMA CGM currently connects Morocco to global markets through 31 maritime services that directly serve 81 ports. The company employs 1,300 staff across Morocco and owns terminal assets in the country through its subsidiaries. These include a 100% stake in the SOMAPORT terminal in Casablanca and a 40% stake in the Eurogate Tangiers terminal.

Through its CEVA Logistics subsidiary, CMA CGM offers end-to-end supply chain solutions in Morocco. It also provides a ferry service between Marseille and Tanger Med via its subsidiary La Méridionale.

This partnership at Nador West Med builds on CMA CGM’s global expansion strategy. In Brazil, CMA CGM recently acquired a 48% stake in Santos Brasil Participações S/A, a publicly listed multi-terminal operator. Santos Brasil manages eight assets across Brazil, including three container terminals, one vehicle terminal, a liquid bulk terminal, and three logistics facilities, with key locations in the Ports of Santos, Imbituba, Vila do Conde, and Itaqui.

Among the assets is Tecon Santos, the largest container terminal in South America.

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