Morocco plans to position the southern port of Dakhla as a key Atlantic hub, launching new direct maritime links to Europe, Africa and beyond as part of a broader effort to boost trade and logistics capacity, Transport and Logistics Minister Abdessamad Kayouh said.
Speaking at the National Maritime Conference in Tangier, Kayouh said the development of routes from Dakhla, alongside Agadir, would strengthen integration of the kingdom’s southern provinces into global shipping corridors and improve exporters’ access to international markets.
The planned connections are expected to link Dakhla directly to ports across Europe, West Africa and the Atlantic basin, supporting Morocco’s ambition to become a strategic bridge between continents.
The government is also prioritizing expanded transport lines across the Strait of Gibraltar, one of the busiest crossings for passenger and freight traffic between Morocco and Europe.
A first round of tenders has been launched to develop passenger and truck transport services across the strait, with the aim of strengthening and diversifying maritime connections with Spain, he said.
Authorities say the move will help ease congestion and improve logistics efficiency, particularly during peak travel periods.
The Strait of Gibraltar handles heavy flows each year, including the “Marhaba” summer transit operation, which involves around 3.7 million passengers and 800,000 vehicles annually.
Morocco’s push to expand maritime capacity also reflects the country’s reliance on sea transport, which accounts for about 95% of its external trade, while globally shipping carries more than 90% of trade.
Kayouh said the strategy builds on major investments in port infrastructure over recent decades, including Tanger Med, Nador West Med and the planned Dakhla Atlantique port.
