HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Barka
The Dakhla Atlantic port project is witnessing tangible progress, making it one of the most prominent strategic projects that the Kingdom of Morocco is undertaking in the southern provinces, with a view to transforming the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region into an integrated maritime and commercial hub, connecting Morocco with its African depth and enhancing its presence on the Atlantic front.
This port is one of the structural projects included in the new development model for the southern provinces, launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, with the aim of achieving balanced and sustainable development in these regions. The project site was chosen in the Ntirift area, which belongs to the Al Argoub commune, about 40 kilometers north of the city of Dakhla, to become a global maritime platform. The port consists of commercial, fishing, and service facilities that extend over a wide area, including docks with a length of about 600 meters with a depth of 16 meters, in addition to an oil station and logistical and industrial areas. The new port also includes docks dedicated to sea fishing with a length of 1650 meters, basins for ship maintenance, and flat lands exceeding 60 hectares. The total investment cost of the project is estimated at about 12.5 billion dirhams, which reflects the size of the economic and logistical bet carried by this royal project. According to the latest official data issued in November 2025, the completion rate of the project reached about 45 percent, while the construction of the sea bridge linking the land and the port exceeded 87 percent, over a length of 1.3 kilometers. Sources from the Ministry of Equipment and Water confirm that the pace of work is proceeding according to the planned program, with the expectation of reaching the technical equipment stage during 2026, and the full operation of the port by the end of 2028. It is expected that the Dakhla Atlantic port will be a commercial and logistical gateway to the Sahel and West African countries, in addition to being a pivotal center for the valorization of marine products and the development of industries related to sea fishing. The project is also expected to contribute to the creation of thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities, and to stimulate national and foreign investments in the fields of maritime transport, renewable energy, and food industries. Through this port, Morocco is betting on strengthening its position as a regional center for maritime trade between Europe, Africa and Latin America, in full harmony with the national strategy for ports in 2030. The port is also considered a tool for deepening economic integration between the southern provinces and the rest of the Kingdom's regions, and redistributing maritime and commercial activity in a way that reduces pressure on the ports of the north and center. Despite the great progress made, the project still faces challenges related to the completion of parallel facilities, such as roads and logistics areas, and connecting the port to electricity and water networks, in addition to ensuring the attractiveness of investment in the region. However, the current indicators confirm that the project is moving steadily towards achieving its goals, thanks to the close royal follow-up and the mobilization of various public and private stakeholders. The Dakhla Atlantic port represents more than just an infrastructure project; it is the title of a strategic vision that makes Dakhla a meeting point between Morocco, Africa and the Atlantic, and embodies the Kingdom's will to build a renewed and integrated development model. With the work continuing at an increasing pace, Dakhla is steadily moving towards becoming a promising international maritime hub in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean.
